Madam, - Ironically, I will vote for Sinn Féin at the next election largely because of the bank robbery controversy.
I believe that the SDLP's lack of all-Ireland strategy is a fundamental flaw. I also believe the IRA campaign was unnecessary and morally wrong - indeed that the "War of Independence" might possibly have been wrong.
However, both were responses to organised (including official) subversion of fundamental individual and group rights. Martin McGuinness and others were very young men in a storm of historical forces they didn't create. Many of us would perhaps have done the same in their position.
What matters more now is their ongoing attempt to do two things: to remedy the causes of violence by constitutional methods, and to convince their community this is possible.
They need help. Thus the media, Mr Michael McDowell and others are wrong to vilify Sinn Féin. In the Minister's case this is a pity as he is sincere, whereas much of the media is lazy and cynical.
It is perverse to frustrate Gerry Adams's efforts to lead the republican constituency to non-violence on the grounds that the IRA contains hoodlums. Even conventional armies do, so the IRA is bound to; but not all IRA members are criminals. Mr McDowell's definition of Bobby Sands as such because he was convicted of a criminal offence is deficient; so was Nelson Mandela. Bobby Sands was motivated not by the selfishness of criminality, but by a civic commitment which more advantaged politicians would do well to match.
Excluding Sinn Féin postpones making republican politics entirely constitutional, weakens those who are trying to do so, and strengthens those inside and outside republicanism who oppose this. Our problems need more political engagement with each other, not less. Therefore I will vote Sinn Féin to bolster its current leadership. - Yours, etc.,
TOM RUSSELL, Andersonstown, Belfast.
A chara, - the innocence of Conor Collins (January 20th) continues to astound me. In his response to my letter of January 18th, he asserts that those who vote for Sinn Féin must be stupid, or suffering from amnesia. To persist with the notion that Sinn Féin voters "know not what they do" is folly at best, dangerous naïveté at worst.
In the current political climate, we are making it taboo openly to support Sinn Féin. I fear this is a huge mistake.
If history has taught us anything, it is that demonised parties tend to go from strength to strength electorally. In France, for example, Jean-Marie le Pen's success in the face of continual derision from the French media and polity should remind Mr Collins and his ilk: by belittling Sinn Féin supporters as stupid, they are only driving them back toward the ballot-box with renewed vigour in their unvoiced pro-IRA convictions. - Is mise,
OLOF GILL, Clare island, Co Mayo.