Sir, - I found Niall O'Dowd's Opinion piece of December 19th over the top and bordering on the hysterical. It is imperative, in my view, that all wars be subject to scrutiny given that they are evil, albeit the lesser of two evils in some circumstances. Further, innocent civilians are nearly always maimed, terrified and killed.
It is commendable that the United States-led war against bin Laden and his allies be subject to critical public comment: Is it necessary? Is it proportionate? Have all other options been explored? Is it lawful?
I am not certain about the answers to the above; unlike Niall O'Dowd, however, I greatly welcome the fact that some people in Ireland have not suspended their critical faculties. - Yours, etc.,
Nessan Vaughan, Seapoint Court, Dublin 13.