Madam, - John-Paul McCarthy writes (August 31st) that Bertie Ahern would "do well to study de Valera's approach to violent republicanism". For the record, de Valera's approach to violent republicans was to praise them as the legion of the rearguard who had saved Ireland's honour by fighting the Civil War.
His record also included releasing all IRA prisoners when he became President of the Executive Council and he had no qualms with members of the IRA breaking up Cumann na Gael meetings during the 1920s and 1930s because it benefited him politically. Indeed, it was only when he could no longer control the IRA that his relations with it turned sour and he declared it an illegal organisation.
Should the present Taoiseach require subject matter to study on how to handle the IRA, I suggest he study the accomplishments of one of Ireland's greatest statesmen, William Thomas Cosgrave.
As President of the Executive Council, W.T. Cosgrave took a firm stance with the IRA, willing to work for peace and reconciliation, but drawing the line at undermining the institutions of State - as, for example, releasing the murderers of a police officer as the current Taoiseach was willing to do. - Yours, etc,
COLM MURPHY, Campile, New Ross, Co Wexford.