The decision by Sinn Féin to recognise the Special Criminal Courts marks a significant step forward for Sinn Féin but further steps are needed on the journey towards taking violence out of Irish politics. Such steps must also be taken by other parties, especially Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, whose very foundations were laid with violence.
As we approach the centenary of the civil war it is important to point out that more Irish people died in that civil war than died in the war for independence. The number of people who died due to the more recent Troubles in Northern Ireland was almost as many as died in the war for independence and the 1920s civil war combined.
If the argument by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is that Sinn Féin are unsuitable to be in government because of their violent past, then that same criterion should have been applied to themselves.
We should not whitewash or censor those parts of history that we would like to forget, lest we go on repeating past mistakes.
There is a valid case to be made for a truth commission into the killings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, as documented in Lost Lives, edited by David McKittrick et al. There should also be more honest discussion on all the unjustified killings that occurred during the war for independence and the civil war. Many wars are caused by intelligent people making stupid decisions. The First World War was one such dreadful example.
John Redmond was an intelligent man who opposed the war for independence, but he actively supported the First World War where up to 50,000 Irish men lost their lives including his brother Major Willie Redmond.
As the centenary of the civil war approaches, now is a good time for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin to admit and apologise for all the unjustified deaths and injuries caused by their past and more recent associates.
EDWARD HORGAN
Castletroy, Co Limerick
‘History Hunt’ gives a fair insight into life and times in Ballykinlar
I spent a rather enjoyable visit to the Down County Museum recently to view their latest exhibit, the highly anticipated ‘Ballykinlar History Hut’ and I can certainly say it was a morning well spent.
As a native resident of Ballykinlar, with decades of family history in the area, I have always been intrigued by the history of Ballykinlar, both the camp and the village. This project, supported by the European Union’s Peace IV Programme, gives a fascinating history into what was a major aspect of life in Ballykinlar in the 20th century.
The hut explores stories from a range of times in Ballykinlar, from the regiments in the First World War, American GIs in the Second World War and Irish republican internees who were imprisoned there during the War of Independence. It offers a fascinating and varied insight into a range of figures from the time as well as showcasing what it was like to live, work and die in the huts at the various stages of the exhibition.
I would encourage everyone to visit the museum to experience the hut first hand. You will be surprised at how far the history of Ballykinlar spreads.
One of the most notable stories that I picked up on is that of Michael Phelan, a republican internee from Co Tipperary, whose nephew is a certain Hollywood actor, notable for playing US president Josiah Bartlett in The West Wing – you will have to visit the hut to find out the rest.
I would like to wish Dr Mike King, Down County Museum and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council the best of luck with the project going forward.
It is a well-balanced, historical masterpiece, giving equal and fair insight into the varied life and times in Ballykinlar.
AODHÁN SMITH
Ballykinlar, Co Down
Balanced approach
While the Catholic Church in Ireland is not above criticism it does deserve a more reasoned, balanced and less superficial approach in regard to the issues facing it. This is sadly lacking in the recent articles by Patrick Murphy and Tom Kelly. In the former’s case his views can only be described as deeply insulting to the present Catholic teachers and those who have educated us over the years by implying that they were not chosen on merit and that we were denied a proper education because of their religious beliefs. He goes on denigrate the Catholic faith itself and includes what are quite silly and specious examples to support his case. Those who argue that integrated education would resolve the sectarian nature of Northern Ireland need to spell out exactly how this would be achieved over what period and how success would be measured. Mr Kelly takes up the theme in advocating the separation of the Church from education. However, his article basically comprises his own experiences of school and the history of abuse which apparently we are led to accept make convincing cases for integration. Personally I am deeply grateful for being educated by both teachers and priests in Catholic schools and would need more coherent reasons for change. In conclusion I have to say that readers deserve a better standard of journalism than is evident in both cases.
FRANCIS JOHNSTON
Belfast BT9
No evidence of ‘genocide’
Dr O’Neill (November 1) claims ‘Genocide of the Palestinians by the Jewish State outrages ordinary decent Irish citizens.’ What Genocide? There were 1.2m Arabs in Palestine in 1948. Today there are approximately 6m in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank combined. No evidence of ‘genocide’ there.
Further, he compares Israel with apartheid South Africa. There are Arabs in the current government in Israel. Arabs are represented in the highest echelons of the judiciary, medicine and academia in Israel. No black South Africans were represented at all during the apartheid regime.
Dr O’Neill then asserts that ‘Ireland has a long and noble tradition of boycott dating from 1880’.
Is this the same ‘noble tradition’ which led an anti-semitic priest in Limerick to lead a boycott of the local Jewish community in 1904. To top it off the priest encouraged systematic violence against the small numbers of local Jews leading to their departure from Limerick. Is this the ‘noble tradition’ that Dr O’Neill refers to?
If these are the sentiments of Dr O’Neill and the ‘Interfaith for Palestine’ organisation then they should be totally ashamed of themselves. What is the difference between calling for a boycott of the ‘Jewish State’ – Dr O’Neill’s description – and the call to boycott a small and vulnerable Jewish community in Limerick?
ANDREW J SHAW
Belfast BT10
