Sir, - May I thank Dick Walsh (Opinion, April 18th) for remembering what we tried to do in the 1960s and for mentioning my name in this context. The history of that period has yet to be definitively written and the role of the Dublin and Belfast Wolfe Tone Societies evaluated. The Civil Rights objectives included a "reformed Stormont with Bill of Rights", within which democratic cross-community politics could have been develop, with a basically friendly all-Ireland dimension - not far from what is now at last on offer. The demand which later emerged for the abolition of Stormont was basically sectarian and counter-productive. Did it perhaps fuel the re-introduction of the gun, which took place memorably in August 1969 in the hands of the B Specials?
After 30 years of "slow learning" we now have, at last, the makings of a workable framework within which democratic politics can perhaps develop, and allow Protestants and Catholics alike to look critically at the effects of partition and the heritage of unionism. I empathise with both David Trimble and with Gerry Adams, and hope that their supporters will come on-side and begin to perceive the makings of a "win-win" situation.
If Archbishop Tutu's proposal for a truth commission ever becomes a reality it will have much to discover. For example, who killed Miriam Daly, and with what motivation? There are many unanswered questions. - Yours, etc.,
Roy Johnston
Rathmines, Dublin 6.