Madam, - The ultra-nationalistic claptrap spouted by Gerry Adams the other day when he appealed to "the men and women of Oglaigh na hÉireann" to step into the "bearna baoil" and give up their "armed struggle" is little more than a blatant electioneering stunt and should be treated with the same cynicism as Adams treats the anti-Sinn Féin/IRA pronouncements of democratically elected politicians in the Republic of Ireland.
At least the election here is still some way off. Mr Adams's appeal for a late conversion to civilised political discourse by "Oglaigh na hÉireann" is a fair indication that Sinn Féin could do with a leg-up from the so-called "Republican" brotherhood before May 5th comes along.
As a republican in the true sense of the word - look up the dictionary, Mr Adams - I never thought I would find myself on the same political wavelength as Ian Paisley. I hope it's just a temporary aberration, but that's what Sinn Féin's brand of "republicanism" can do to a person. - Yours, etc.,
LOUIS HOGAN, Corbawn Grove, Shankill, Dublin 18.
Madam, - With the wounds from the Robert McCartney murder still so fresh north and south of the border, I am dismayed at the manner in which Sinn Féin's latest publicity stunt has been treated in the national media. With the possible exception of your paper, Gerry Adams's "appeal" to the IRA to end their "freedom struggle" was given extraordinary prominence in broadcast and print media.
This man, despite his ludicrous denials, is intimately involved with the IRA and may even be a member of the IRA Army Council. His statement was clearly an election stunt and should have been treated as such.
When the IRA hands the murderers of Robert McCartney over to the PSNI and when Gerry Adams effects an end to crime and thuggery by that organisation, then and only then should such a statement by him be treated with any respect. - Yours, etc.,
Dr MIKE QUIRKE, Moangarrif, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.