Sir, – I refer to Weekend Irish Times of July 20th and the article entitled “Ireland’s Freedom Was Not Won, It was Given”, by Mark Hennessy which makes reference to my father, Tom Maguire.
Mr Hennessy quotes John O’Beirne Ranelagh, during a visit to my father’s home, as saying “He had what I understood to be a butler.” No such person ever lived or worked in our home. Elsewhere, the article states: “He was in a morning coat as president of the Republic.” My father never wore such a garment, nor did he ever say he was president of the Republic or of anything else. Mr O’Beirne Ranelagh says Tom Maguire was standing in front of the Irish flag; the flag was never displayed in our home.
Mr O’Beirne is also quoted as saying that my father “would only use sterling”. My father ran an extensive and successful insurance broking business at the time of the alleged quote. To claim, therefore, that he would use use sterling is patently absurd.
The final quoted assertion that my father refused to pay taxes is entirely wrong.
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The Irish Times has a well-deserved reputation for accuracy. I write so that you should have the facts. – Yours, etc,
TJ MAGUIRE,
Galway.