I went to mass in my youth because I was chased out on a Sunday morning, if I hadn't of went I would have lost my bed !

In 1982 there was a statement read out in every chapel issued by the bishop that anyone who supported the Republican movement had no place in their church. I walked out that day and never returned, except for funeral masses for my mother and father. They both were faithful catholics, and neither shared my politics.

The church has a big problem in the north, young people these days won't sit and listen to someone preaching at that. Their weekend social life does not include the church. Most churchgoers I see in my town are of the older generation.

In the republic, there are small towns that have a great respect for their priests. For example on Achill Island in Mayo I was in a shop and the priest came in and it was like a state visit.

I am not here to knock the church, each to their own, it was them that chased me.