Sir, - There was a strange quality of unity around the image of the republican and loyalist prisoners as they left the Maze prison. They are all men of blood.
What a bitter pill it must be for the relatives on both sides to see these men released to the arms of their families, when their own loved ones will never come home.
Looking at the photographs and television images it was hard not to feel that many of these men had used a political guise to give expression to their own personally violent and aggressive personalities. No heroes here.
The unwitting heroes are the relatives who say, that even though there is no forgiveness in their hearts, they recognise that if the prisoners release was necessary for the peace process, well then they reluctantly accept it.
So let these men of blood go away quietly and lead peaceful lives - they at least have lives to lead. Not so their victims. And let them know, that in their blood lust, they have damaged the ideals of real humanity. Yours, etc.,
Cynthia Carroll, Newport, Co Tipperary.