“Joint release from Octocon and Pádraig Ó Mealoid

To whom it may concern:

Following some mediation and frank communication Octocon and Pádraig
have resolved their issues thus:
Nichola Hannigan, Co- Chair of Octocon, recognised that the banning of
Pádraig may not have been the best way to deal with the situation they
faced.
The committee regrets that better wording was not used in the
communication of Pádraig’s ban and realises that the closing of
communication lines was an error.

Pádraig recognised that online and other criticism should be tempered
and that his enthusiasm for SF activities may be perceived as
aggressive. He is sorry that he upset or hurt anyone, and regrets that
he did not communicate his criticisms more appropriately.

Both parties regret that previous private communication opportunities
were missed.

Given this understanding between parties, Octocon have rescinded the
Ban on Padraig.

The Octocon committee will continue to welcome criticism in a measured
manner and try to deal with it as best they can. They make it their
duty to continue to deal promptly with queries which are submitted in
the normal way.

The committee are considering setting up an online public forum, which
may be a better way for people to raise and discuss queries.

Pádraig understands all con committees are free to run their own convention.
Octocon understand that con members may have expectations.

On behalf of Octocon, Nichola has apologised to Pádraig. Pádraig
unreservedly accepted this and has apologised to the committee for his
part in these events.
Both parties wish to draw a line under this now. No further discussion
online or in person will be entered into in this matter by either
party, as both parties want to move on and put this whole matter
behind them.

Both parties request that everyone else who was affected by or had
interest in this dispute also move on and look forward to positive
future events.

Padraig and The Octocon committee would like to thank James Bacon for
his timely intervention and are grateful for his mediation in this
matter.

Signed

Nichola Hannigan and the Octocon Committee

Pádraig Ó Méalóid”