AFTER DRUMCREE

Sir, - From the behaviour of the RUC on the Garvaghy Road and on the Lower Ormeau Road, and from the British government's supine reaction to these events, at least two extremely unpalatable conclusions can be drawn.

First, the Provisional IRA now represents the only prospect of physical force defence for nationalist communities in the North of Ireland. Secondly, the Provisional IRA was fully justified in not surrendering its arms as a precondition to peace negotiations.

Rebuttal of these conclusions is urgently sought. - Yours, etc.,

Barna,

Co Galway.

Sir