I have decided not to speak on Wednesday on the Embryonic Stem Cell debate.  The letter I sent to the society that are organising it is as follows:

Hi XXXXXXX,

I have just found out all the details about the debate on Wednesday.  I was not aware that this was being organised by Youth Defence.  For obvious reasons I am not going to share a stage with youth defence people and am declining your invitation to speak.

The reasons are:
1. I was not given enough information about the meeting.  Indeed, my attendance at the meeting was confirmed to me by somebody I play football with.  You said you would get back to me with more information and you didn’t.
2. I have no intention in giving youth defence any publicity.  In the past, I have been happy to speak with the Maynooth pro-life society and their invited guests and would be happy again to participate in a debate involving the Maynooth pro-life society, but not youth defence.  I remember the front page of the Irish Times in 1992 and indeed other events I felt were unacceptable in a democratic, civilised society.
3. The poster and flyer you are distributing is unacceptable. Phrases like “[…] trouble for those who deserve it” have no place in a university debate and I certainly won’t take part in it.  I have received threatening  letters in the past that were referred to the guards and it frightened me somewhat and I have no intention in getting involved with that kind of situation again.

Apologies for the late notice.  If you wish me to speak at an NUIM pro-life meeting that has nothing to do with youth defence, then I am happy to do so.  I don’t believe this situation reflects well on the Maynooth pro-life society.

Kindest regards,

James.