Sir, - For some years now, Sinn Fein has insisted that the word "Peace" must always be used with the qualifier "with justice." But justice has its own requirement: the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Where is the truth when Gerry Adams and friends are asked about their involvement with the IRA?
Where is the truth when they are asked about the weapons and explosives they control? Where is the truth when questioned about the recent murders and the punishment beatings and intimidation, which have persisted despite commitments made to "peaceful, democratic" methods? And where is the truth when veiled threats to restart the violence are made?
The dogs, in the streets of Ireland, Britain and America know that Sinn Fein and the IRA are inextricably bound together. The Big Lie, repeated over and over again, that "Sinn Fein is not the IRA" must be rejected every time it is stated.
The bravest move that Sinn Fein could make now, and one which could help to move the peace process forward dramatically, would be for Mr Adams to come clean on this matter and to confirm that sInnRAfein is one organisation. For as long as he denies what everyone knows to be the truth, there can be no trust - and isn't "trust" another of Mr Adams' favourite words?
Yours, etc.,
Ballinteer,
Dublin 16.