Attemps To "park" Path To Freedom Documentary

Collins 22 Society Attempt To Halt Path To Freedom Documentary

Noel Duffy, Director Path To Freedom, Letter Regarding Recent Events

Dated: 08 February 2010

I am writing this personal message to all of you who have given your support to our feature length documentary Path To Freedom.

As many of you know we had the official launch of the national fundraising campaign for Path To Freedom, in Wynn’s hotel on Wednesday, 3rd of February. Where the Collins 22 Society officially announced the commissioning of S.W.V Studios to produce Path To Freedom. However on Friday, I was told via a number of phone calls that:

The Collins 22 Society could no longer support the project and in effect it was now “parked”.

I was also told by a certain member of the Collins 22 Society, that it was best not make the real reasons behind the “parking” of the project public, as “only one party would come out the worst” I asked which party he meant, and was told “Yourself Noel”. I was also told to remember, “I had a little family to consider and that it was best to work together to make this thing go away”. I have done nothing but consider my family, but I have also considered my words to many members of the acting and production community, I have also considered my words expressed through a national press campaign, I have also considered the directors vision I stood behind for this documentary, as expressed through my speech on the 3rd of February. I have considered much…My response is… no one can influence my innate right to speak publicly, about my opinions, as to the events that have transpired, since delivering my directors vision for Path To Freedom on the 3rd of February, And I will do so now, without fear or influence, under the state guarantees of Bunreacht Na hÉireann.

I was told by the Collins 22 Society, National Organiser, that the project is being “parked” because the Collins family no longer support the project - because of the speech I gave at the National Launch event (Wynn’s hotel on the 3rd of February 2010.) – I was told that - The family had a major historian with them, and upon discussion they decided that they didn’t like the tone of the speech and where it was going.

In an email I received today from a member of the Collins 22 Society, his opinion as to events, reinforce what I was told verbally: “There were members of the Collins family, historians and investors in the front row.. Some of them felt that your presentation and slide show was not something that they could back or agree to and discussed it amongst themselves and came to the conclusion that they could not support the project in that format.” - It is my opinion, and only my opinion, that the Collins Family has been ill advised, in this regard.

As I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to talk with any members of the Collins Family or the historians above mentioned. I cannot say anything beyond what was conveyed to me, and I don’t want to enter the realm of speculation. Their reasons and motives are totally their own and they are fully entitled to withdraw their support for the project, as expressed through my directors vision. I am clear on this. But what is not correct is that free speech and art will be controlled, or they will “park” my documentary feature.

It is because the Path To Freedom documentary feature is very much in the public domain, and support has been sought in many forms, from both the general public and from within our profession, that I feel compelled to provide you with a truthful account of what has transpired, as I understand it. I have kept my silence for 48 hours, despite having to ignore many emails regarding the project, and in the absence of any communications concerning a public statement; I am unwilling to wait any longer.

All of you in our profession will know, these dramatic turn of events tell us that we are obligated not to give in or give up on that sacred doctrine of truth which is the inner soul of our art.

I would like to personally thank all of you who gave support and good wishes to the project on the 3rd of February in Wynn’s hotel. Regardless of the recent events I stand by my words that you can read in the Path To Freedom Prospectus:

“Collins is to me now what he was to them, a beacon of light and hope to anyone who has ever faced down the odds in order to protect what is sacred and entrusted. We will not fail, we cannot fail, because we are here and Collins is with us.”

Noel Duffy

Additional Notes:

I would like also to present some facts about my director’s vision: firstly the Collins 22 Society were fully aware of the direction and vision I had for Path To Freedom, as it was the culmination of six months joint consideration and investigation. I set out my vision to the Fine Gael Party, in Dail Eireann, facilitated by the Collins 22 Society, on the 27th of January 2010. Subsequently Fine Gael printed the Path To Freedom Press Release in an internal mailing.