Madam, - I write in support of Kevin Myers's recent criticism of the Easter Rising, and of the reinstated parade celebrating it. As always, right or wrong, Mr Myers raises some interesting questions.
For example, in his Irishman's Diary of November 4th he cites the murders of unarmed Constables Lahiff and O'Brien on Easter Monday, asking whether these deaths were morally justified. Indeed, can any killing in support of something as abstract as Irish nationhood be defended? Personally, I believe that the question of a united Ireland versus partition pales in comparison with the death of a single child during the Troubles.
Mr Myers writes that "the Easter Rising remains quite the worst and most undemocratic event in Irish history in the 20th century". Certainly, the rebels took up arms on the sole authority of their own beliefs. Therefore, by celebrating their right to do so, we give legitimacy to every armed group that followed, including the Provisional and the Real IRA. I recently came across the argument that because of Sinn Féin's triumph in the 1918 elections, the Irish people somehow gave retrospective blessing to the rebels. To take this view is profoundly to misunderstand the events surrounding 1916.
It is clear that an event that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, most of them Irish and many of them civilians, should be no cause for celebration, especially considering that there was a better (constitutional) way. But even setting aside the dubious morality of the event itself, there is also the question of Northern Ireland. It is difficult to see how we can win the trust of Northern Unionists, which is the only way to achieving a united and peaceful Ireland, while feting the forerunners of modern militant republicans. - Yours, etc,
CONOR J McKINNEY, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.