Sir, - Re election pacts in Northern Ireland for the forthcoming Westminster election: I believe there is a perception, particularly in southern Ireland, that a pact between the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Fein could facilitate the election of a nationalist and defeat a unionist.
An illustration of the position of Dr Joe Hendron, SDLP MP for west Belfast, where he works also as a GP is useful. Dr Hendron is the only elected nationalist in Belfast City at parliamentary level. He has fearlessly opposed violence and referred to Sinn Fein/IRA as irridentist fascist.
Joe Hendron defeated Adams at the last election with the help of democratic unionists who crossed the sectarian divide to effect his election.
Democrats make pacts with democrats to represent and address differences. Who colludes in "a pact" with Sinn Fein/IRA colludes with murder. - Yours, etc.,
11 Shrewsbury Park,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.