PAUL BOWLER,
A chara - I read Frank Boucher-Hayes's letter of July 10th and was struck by its poignancy and idealism. I am an ardent anti-nationalist but still believe in heroes. Kevin O'Higgins and Michael Collins were and continue to be heroes to me. Their heroism was grounded in their fight for the spirit of Irish nationalism, and not its letter.
I do not know if I am thankful that they did not survive to see what Ireland has become or to regret the impact they may have had in instilling a culture of integrity in our people. However I shudder when I consider what their reaction might be if they knew what a tawdry little thing this country now is. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL BOWLER, Grosvenor Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6.