Sir, - Simon Sebag-Montefiore's Channel 4 programme on the republican movement and racism, broadcast on October 15th, was one of the worst collections of slander and innuendo that it has been my misfortune to witness. The piece was so full of flaws it is difficult to keep any critique within reasonable bounds so I shall restrict myself to the most outrageous parts.
The programme had two fundamental flaws. First, the thread of the argument was incoherent and unclear. Second, where a definite assertion was made, evidence was either absent or flimsy. These flaws are typical of the kind of anti-Irish slander one sees often in the British press. Channel 4 had previously not stooped to this.
The foundation of the whole piece was the attempt to link Sinn Fein with the Limerick pogrom, undoubtedly a blot on the history of Limerick in particular and Ireland in general. The evidence presented indicated that the pogrom was orchestrated by shopkeepers and the Catholic Church. Why, then, did we not see a programme on anti-Semitism in the Church (of which there is ample evidence throughout its history)? The only evidence of a link with Sinn Fein was one statement by its leader. There is no doubt that the statement by Griffith was anti-Semitic. However, there was not a shred of evidence presented that Sinn Fein was actually involved in the pogrom or that Sinn Fein was avowedly anti-Semitic (any more than were the British Conservative Party, the British Labour Party, etc).
There is no doubt that the Irish republican movement has incorporated strands of intolerance and included individuals who were at times racist - just like every political movement in Europe of the 20th century. The claim that this movement was in the same camp as Nazism is a slander. A great Israeli journalist made the observation that, contrary to popular belief, suffering does not usually ennoble victims, but rather makes them bitter and vindictive. Mr Montefiore's family were greatly injured. It is unfortunate that he is living proof of that observation. - Yours, etc.,
From Phelim Murnion
Oranmore, Co Galway.