Sir, - I know you couldn't possibly afford the space necessary for me to answer Kevin Myers's literary assaults (An Irishman's Diary, October 14th), so I'll take just two of the points he made in denying that the IRA campaign of 1919-1921 was a just war. He declares that one of the conditions that justifies such a conflict is that there be a reasonable chance of success. Beautiful in theory but impossible in practice. Who decides?
In the context of the Irish situation of 80 years ago he talks of negotiations. Oh, we had them all right, but with - as the noted historian Joseph Lee has explained - a British gun on the table ("immediate and terrible war"). Some negotiations!
Responsibility for the carnage in this country between 1919 and 1923 was the British government's, for - as Prof Lee also points out - in its dealings with Ireland, that government had absolutely no respect for democracy.
One is concerned about Kevin Myers. He has a truly awesome reputation for confronting the dead; the living - now that's an altogether different matter. But before we convict him of lacking genuine convictions and a modicum of courage let's set him a simple test: every year there are ceremonies at Arbour Hill to honour the 1916 leaders - murderers to a man in Mr Myers's book. The people who attend are well known and there is no difficulty in identifying them. So come next Easter will he in his column name, say, ten of the most prominent - and denounce them for glorifying thuggery and murder? Or better still, let him stage a protest outside Arbour Hill - and the fact that he may appear slightly ridiculous marching up and down with placard held high should not deter him. Men (and women) of high principle are never deterred by ridicule.
So can we expect Kevin Myers to "show the flag" next Easter? We'll be waiting. - Yours, etc.,
John Clarke, Glendaniel, Tullamore, Co Offaly.