Freedom of speech and press freedoms are cornerstones of a democracy.

In the wake of Charlie Hebdo it is important to recall that violence and threats against the press and against free speech occur nearer home also. Martin O’Hagan was killed in September 2001. Adams recently made a remark about guns and newspapers.

Anyone wanting to read some detail of other threats made locally should read a piece written by Paul Campbell and carried in the blog “The Pensive Quill”.

Campbell’s cast of characters is interesting.