Sir, – I commend Stephen Collins for his brave article asking the citizens of the Republic to examine their consciences in the light of the Smithwick tribunal (Opinion, December 7th). While individual Garda members may have acted wrongly in relation to the Breen and Buchanan murders, the force was always pretty well respected by unionists during the Troubles as doing the best they could in extremely difficult circumstances.
Unfortunately, as Collins highlights in a remarkable and courageous observation, elements in the political and legal spheres acted wrongly too and thus “facilitated the continuation of murder”.
It was their behaviour, rather than any specific incidents by individual Garda, which I feel led in part to the Troubles going on for far too long. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KERR,
Tandragee Street,
Richhill,
Co Armagh.