Madam, – Should national mourning, rather than celebration, mark the 1916 anniversary? Home Rule was within reach before the “patriots” unleashed a cycle of destruction and savagery which has haunted our country down to Omagh and the recent Northern murders and maimings.
Many civilians perished – no annual ceremonies commemorate their involuntary demise. So many more died miserably in the years up to 1921. Even more vicious brutality, destruction and score-settling marked the ensuing Civil War, when fear and intimidation stalked every hamlet.
The tribal deification of those responsible for 1916 legitimised the appalling thuggery of the 1970s-1990s. With such a tradition, the casual attitude to life which distinguishes today’s criminal fraternity is hardly surprising.
It is high time we grew up and recognised that 1916 bred only terrorism and division. And that until we exorcise the dreadful mistakes of the past we will never mature.
An overdue national debate on the subject may encourage people to clear their minds of cant. And to finally stand back and reappraise the merits and sacrifices of the constitutional politicians. Time that the Redmonds and colleagues – who worked so unremittingly and successfully for Home Rule – were rescued from the limbo into which the gunmen and their apologists so undeservedly consigned them.
If we had followed John Redmond, our country would have been spared so much suffering – and our shameful, enduring and worldwide reputation for violence. Surely the constitutional politicians are the real heroes we should be celebrating – and John Redmond’s shamefully neglected Wexford grave the one we should belatedly be honouring? – Yours, etc,