Sir, - I was brought up by my uncle, Mr Charles Boland, FRCSI. He was a close friend and medical adviser to John Charles McQuaid. As a child growing up, and as a young adult attending Clonliffe College, I visited Dr McQuaid's home in Killiney many times. They were happy visits. He was a warm and generous man and his behaviour was never inappropriate.
He was an isolated man and at times probably considered himself to be misjudged. The support of close friends was very important to him. It was the backdrop which sustained him in his public persona.
He was a formidable churchman of his era and personally was a very decent man. - Yours, etc.,
David O'Kelly, MB, Newtown Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.