Article February 2, 2004 Issue

The courage to forgive

By Brian Kissock

In 1972 in Northern lreland, the IRA (Irish Republican Army) tried to extort money from a good friend of mine who owned a shirt manufacturing business and operated many stores across the country. My friend refused to pay. The following day, they rammed his car as he approached his factory, and told him they would kill his four-year-old daughter if he didn't pay up.

My friend, his wife, and daughter left the country that night, never to return. Within a short time, the manufacturing plant and all the stores were closed, resulting in the loss of many jobs.

Some weeks after this incident, my partner in a clothing business we had, based in Belfast, also received a phone call demanding money. The voice on the line threatened to close us down if we didn't pay. My partner was visibly upset when he told me, and asked me what we should do.