Sir, - In reply to earlier correspondence on the above subject (December 27th and January 6th) Aodogan O'Rahilly (January 10th) believes that de Valera's escape from execution was due to pressure exerted by the US ambassador in London on behalf of a US citizen: "Miss Sile de Valera TD confirms that this is also the firm conviction of all his family."
This surprises me as a reference to the authoritative biography of Eamon de Valera by the Earl of Longford and Thomas P O'Neill would have put the matter to rest. I quote from page 50:
"Two commandants escaped the firing squad because of the delay in bringing them to trial. They were Thomas Ashe and Eamon de Valera. It has been suggested that the latter was reprieved because of his American birth. There is no evidence of this, and the fact that he and Ashe were both tried and reprieved on the same day supports the view that it was the effect of the executions on public opinion and the delay which saved them."
Still doubtful readers should refer to page 78 of Tim Pat Coogan's book, De Valera. - Yours, etc.,
Auburn Road,
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.