Reprisal executions

Coming to terms with the past

Sir, – I agree with Ronan McGreevy that the executions of O’Connor, Mellows, Barrett and McKelvey in 1922 were shameful (“Varadkar should apologise for Civil War executions”, Opinion & Analysis, January 11th), but it has worried me that the discourse on Civil War atrocities during this centenary has tended to focus on the Free State government’s actions, to the exclusion of the actions of the anti-Treatyites.

The stated intention of the anti-Treatyites to kill pro-Treaty TDs and Senators at will (and the consequent shooting of Hales and Ó Máille) was an existential threat to the new State, and is at least as worthy of condemnation as the reprisal executions. Such condemnation is rarely to be found in the literature. There is a need for greater balance in this regard.

We also need to consider to what extent and in what circumstances a democratic society which broadly espouses liberal values may be justified in adopting extreme measures – necessarily illiberal in character – in order to protect itself and its values. Again, this is a question of striking the right balance. – Yours, etc,

FELIX M LARKIN

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Cabinteely,

Dublin 18.