Sir, - John O'Neill (January 2nd) is to be congratulated both for his fulsome praise of the late Cathal Goulding and for causing this humble reader to pull his hair out.
Mr O'Neill is correct in his assessment of the former IRA leader and civil rights activist's contribution to political life in this country. However, the second part of his letter, calling for unity of the Left, prompts the question: with whom does he propose to join forces?
The "revolutionary socialists" in the Socialist Workers' Party? The "militant socialists" in the Socialist Party? The "democratic socialists" in Democratic Left (1992-1999, RIP, sadly mourned by all)? The "national socialists" in Sinn Fein/IRA?
The "republican socialists" in the IRSP/INLA? The "socialist republicians" in the Workers' Party? The "social democrats" in the Labour Party? The "Marxist-Leninists" in the Communist Party of Ireland? . . Confused? Join the club! - Yours, etc., Aidan Hughes,
Kildonan Avenue, Finglas West, Dublin 11.