Sir, - I found Reg Empey's call for an inquiry into the Arms Crisis quite reasonable (February 7th). I'm certain that Cathal Goulding and other former members of the Official Republican Movement could confirm most of his allegations. It would also be quite reasonable for nationalists to call for an enquiry into allegations by the former SAS man Paul Bruce in his book Nemesis File that the SAS was ordered to undertake random assassinations of Catholics in the early 1970s in order to create a sectarian civil war. Yes, all of that would be reasonable; but would it be sensible?
I'll leave Cllr Empey with a few words from King George V's speech made at Belfast City Hall on June 22nd, 1921 while opening the new Northern Ireland Parliament: "I appeal to all Irishmen to pause, to stretch out the hand of forbearance and conciliation, to forgive and forget, and to join in making for the land which they love a new era of peace, contentment, and good will." - Yours, etc.,
Sean Swan,
Walnut Grove, Wexford.