This week the writer and commentator Denzil McDaniel announced that he had written his last column for the Enniskillen based Impartial Reporter. Denzil was for many years the Editor of the Impartial and made many positive changes. Since he retired as editor he wrote a weekly column for the paper.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank Denzil McDaniel for his many thoughtful articles in the Impartial Reporter over many years in which he offered a positive vision for the future. He has also shown, over many years, a willingness to engage and debate with Nationalists and Republicans as well as with Unionists.
Denzil has shown that he is a courageous political commentator who thinks outside the box. He is also by his own admission ‘a man of Faith’ in the God of all. There are some who do not believe in reconciliation. These people refuse to reach out to their Catholic neighbours.
The people of Fermanagh of all religious persuasions and none should be proud of a man from this county who has contributed so much to a better understanding of our political situation and of the challenges facing all of us who want to build a better future for all citizens.
There are, of course, some who want to drag us back to the past. Recently, there has been a tirade of abuse on social media aimed at Denzil after he wrote an article in support of Casement Park. The vicious abuse came mostly from die-hard loyalists -mostly from the Kesh area. These die-hards have nothing to offer. Their days are over. Denzil represents the future. I greatly admire his wisdom and courage. He has made a huge and positive contribution to healing the hurts of the past. For that he will always be remembered and greatly appreciated.
I do not think we have heard the last from Denzil. He has much more to offer towards building a better future for all.
Thanks Joe. Very much appreciated.