Madam, – Perhaps Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are now experiencing the sheer frustration and helplessness that the rest of us felt for many years because of the deaf ears of the thugs who commit unspeakable acts of depravity in the name of an Irishness that gets more tarnished every day. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – If ever there was a time to march, it is now. The tyranny in Eastern Europe came to an end when the people marched. The tyranny of hatred in Ireland can be broken by the same means. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The “Real” and “Continuity” IRA have no mandate from anyone for their continued existence. Who or what do they now represent? There can be no excuse for what these fanatics have done in recent days and any attempt at a convoluted self-justification on their part must be met with the contempt it deserves.
My sympathies to the families of the dead and injured. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – It has become increasingly clear that the IRA has re-established a viable terrorist organisation under the heading of the “Real IRA”. The threat to peace is emanating from a structured regrouping of IRA volunteers, who have been busy recruiting new members.
There is nothing surprising about this. Since the old guard came in from the cold and made their peace with the “enemy”, guns of every description became available to all who felt a need for them. The claims that all arms had been put beyond reach were, as many suspected, well off the mark.
By the time Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness proclaimed that all was well on the political front, their authoritative influence had already evaporated in IRA heartlands. And once again, adverse economic conditions have provided the godfathers with ideal conditions in which to resume their evil assault on their communities.
The killings of recent days will be repeated elsewhere if the authorities fail to act in unison on both sides of the Border. Poor judgment by well-meaning politicians and churchmen must not be repeated if the scourge of terrorism is to be finally ended. – Yours, etc,