Sir, - At a time when the world is preoccupied with the intentions of the IRA, its true thinking is identified, not in the philistine statements of a P. O'Neill, but in the distorted opinions of the IRA's quasi-political disciples.
In his letter (March 10th) Pat Doherty cites "The IRA's courageous decision to call its cessation" as proof of its contribution to political progress. Doherty clearly believes that his pals deserve praise because they have exercised their power over life and death by sparing lives. He regards their suspension of murder as "courageous". This is a morally degenerate argument.
Martin McGuinness said recently that the IRA did not sign up to the Belfast Agreement, therefore it is not bound by its obligations. Yet it is patent that any progress to date has been based on the belief that the IRA was represented in the Belfast talks by McGuinness and Doherty, etc.
Now that all movement has stopped, these ersatz politicians are telling us: Sinn Fein/IRA never had the capacity to deliver anything; IRA/Sinn Fein has no obligation to continue its "courageous" suspension of violence other than its innate generosity.
The lunatics are truly running the asylum! - Yours, etc.,
Don Neenan, Williamstown, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow.