Murder of David Kato
Letters to the Editor, The Irish Times, Saturday 29th January 2011
A chara,
The brutal killing of David Kato (World News, January 28th) is a crime born of 
such wretched ignorance and appalling bigotry as to demand the full and immediate focus of our outrage.
In a month that has already seen the killings in Tucson, allegedly prompted by the militant fulminations of the Tea Party media machine, Kato’s murder throws an urgent light on the role of media in conducting public opinion and the risks that are run when intolerance informs their agenda.
The editor of Uganda’s Rolling Stone newspaper, which published the names and addresses of more than 100 Ugandan homosexuals, including Kato, protested yesterday that he did not want the public to attack “people who promote homosexuality” – he just wants the government to hang them.
Ugandan law, so shrill in its condemnation of homosexual acts, appears thusfar to be silent on hate speech.
The senseless violence of David Kato’s death brings into sharp focus the peaceful work of his life. It reminds us that hate is a seamless garment – that ink spilled on newsprint can lead to blood spilled in a man’s home. But it should also inspire us to honour this man of justice by recognising and confronting that hate, wherever and whenever we find it in ourselves and in our own society.
Is mise,
BARRY R LYSAGHT,
Waterloo Lane,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.
To read the original letter as published in The Irish Times on 29 January 2011, click here.
Native Mind 
Characteristically thoughtful piece, Barry. Well done. It seems to me you’ve a natural sense of advocacy matched by a gorgeous prose style. A powerful combination indeed. Please do keep your blog going. I very much enjoy reading it.
Thank you very much for your kind comments about my blog, Father Leo – I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read my writing and, most importantly, giving your thoughtful and articulate response to the contents. I aim to be a lot more active on this blog in 2012 than I was in 2011, so I hope to have further articles up within the coming weeks. Hopefully you will continue to enjoy what you read.