Sir, - Mr. John Waters (June 25th) makes much play of the futility of condemnation. Is he saying that we should ignore the murder of that good man, Jerry McCabe, the criminal bombing in Manchester, the bomb factory at Clonaslee? Knowing John Waters I doubt it, but if he is, then his finger is not on the pulse of the hidden Ireland he claims to speak for. The spontaneous reaction of the people of Limerick tells the truth about how ordinary people feel.
The real question, however, is not condemnation but credibility. Quite simply can anyone believe Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein on anything anymore? If Gerry Adams genuinely wants peace by democratic means then let's keep talking and let him prove that the trust which virtually all nationalist politicians placed in him is justified. If, on the other hand, the peace process is merely one cynical tactic among many, an a la carte option, we are faced with betrayal greater than any in our history and there will be no alternative but to act accordingly.
I don't know the truth. Neither, I suspect, does John Waters. I want to believe Gerry Adams and so do most people in the country.
At the moment we have little reason to do so. Let us hope it is not too late. - Yours, etc.
Seanad Eireann,
Baile Atha Cliath 2.