Madam, - Michael Stuart (March 13th) misses his own point.
If, as he contends, Gerry Adams has done the rest of us service through exercise of real leadership, is it because he managed to lead himself out of his own, and the IRA's, violent phase?
That poses a number of questions. Firstly, who led him, and the IRA, there in the first place? What were they at for almost 30 years? Who told us "they haven't gone away"? Who is responsible for the punishment beatings, the kneecappings and other forms of intimidation, mostly of young juveniles?
If I, as a leader at any level of an organisation, know that certain activities of that organisation are corrupt, illegal, criminal or otherwise unacceptable and fail to prevent them, or do not challenge such actions, I share in the guilt.
In one respect Mr Stuart is correct - in regard to the absence of leadership. I deplore the behaviour of those people who suffer overwhelming levels of amnesia, those politicians and officials who have corrupted the term "public service" and those who see their hold on office as more important than honesty and integrity, essential qualities for any leader. But you get the politicians you elect.
The awful, unforgivable carnage in Madrid serves to remind us of just what the IRA engaged in for so long. It has taken a long time and they still have a way to go. I am sure the universal request is: "Do it".
That would show leadership. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN HENDERSON, Dublin 18.