Madam, - The bizarre and macabre IRA offer to the widow and aggrieved sisters of Robert McCartney must surely strike terror into every democratic republican as like that felt by unionists of every stripe in the North for years.
Until the McCartney family stood up to the IRA and Sinn Féin, or whatever mix thereof, nobody on this side of the republican divide thought anything of asking the political parties in the North to deal with Sinn Féin/IRA. Now what party, North or South, despite Dermot Ahern's proclamations and Bertie Ahern's appeasement unto death, will offer to join this political front that has proven its fascist credentials in the full light of day? And more worrying still, Sinn Féin representatives claim this treasonous, illegal and immoral offer is a sign of Sinn Féin/ IRA good faith!
The peace process has not just been arrested, it has been co-opted by a seriously delusional entity whose stated goal is to blow everyone else into its fratricidal mindset and political game. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM TUFFY, Enniscrone, Co Sligo.
Madam, - The last time I looked, we live in a democracy - on both sides of the Border. Maybe not an ideal one, but we have an electoral process, a justice system and robust and healthy public debate. These are the only valid tools for change in a democracy - not armed gangs and thuggery.
Perhaps Sinn Féin would like to recognise this and stop trying to defend the indefensible.
The most eloquent comment I heard in the past few days was on Wednesday's Talkback programme on BBC Radio Ulster. A woman in the Short Strand was asked for her opinion on the situation. Her reply: "Sorry love, I can't speak - I have a family." - Yours, etc.,
JOHN O'CONNOR, Moira, Co Down.
Madam, - Kevin Aylward (March 10th) asks, "Would it not serve everyone's interests if the IRA were to shoot themselves?" It seems that the IRA have already shot themselves - in both feet. - Yours, etc.,
SIMON WOODWORTH, Ballywilliam, Co Cork.