A chara, - Noel Whelan (Opinion & Analysis, April 19th) claims that the intervention by former president Patrick Hillery at the 1971 Fianna Fáil ardfheis saved this State from chaos.
In seeking to pay tribute to Patrick Hillery he maligned the reputation of Kevin Boland, an honourable man.
I attended that ardfheis as a registered delegate. Kevin Boland came to argue that maintaining the status quo in the South while anarchy reigned in the North was an abrogation of our constitutional responsibility. But Taoiseach Jack Lynch and his colleagues did not want an open debate. In particular they did not want Boland and those who agreed with him to be present.
Control was on the agenda. Security men with tricolour armbands were around the platform. Delegates opposed to the Northern policy of the Government had their microphone cut off. This caused strong protests and fights ensued.
To his credit, I recall Brian Lenihan coming to the edge of the platform to appeal for calm. But the people who could have calmed the situation by allowing open debate and fair treatment were not listening.
When Kevin Boland was finally allowed to speak he was subjected to a tirade of abuse. He abandoned the podium and was physically attacked. Given these circumstances, Patrick Hillery's accusation of "bully boys" directed at one side and his taunt of "You can have Boland. . ." was unfair and divisive.
Noel Whelan writes very negatively on the "what ifs" of that time. I take a more positive view. If Kevin Boland had not been forced out of Fianna Fáil he would have acted as a rallying point for those who wanted more principled grounded policies. Subsequent weaknesses, divisions and problems within Fianna Fáil would not have happened.
The peace which we are all now so glad to see on our island could have come many years sooner.
- Is mise,
PEADAR O'GRIOFA, Dooneen, Waterford.