Sir, The very title "Peace Process" itself is a misnomer, as there was never a war between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland since 1921, when Ireland acquired its independence by a treaty between both countries. Since 1969 the provisional IRA or the piranha or the gangsters, which is a more accurate description of these hoodlums, have engaged in violence, intimidation, murder, protection rackets, prostitution, drug running and robberies for the sake of power, prestige and the good life of their godfathers.
They have never sought the authority of the people in the Republic, as such an authority would not be given. When their front of house men have dared enter the elected arena, they have run rapidly away with less than two per cent of the vote. Peace and the practice of politics would wipe out the gangsters hence the need for terrorism on a continuing basis.
The annual cost of Northern Ireland to the British Exchequer in subsidies, grants and security is horrendous. If such a burden were shifted on to our shoulders it would cripple us, resulting in violent public disorder and a Bosnian type of class hatred. It is in all our interests that the Irish Government hold a referendum on the question and the cost of a united Ireland. The resounding "no" would ring around the world and would surely eliminate the public raison d'etre of the gangsters.
For the moment, both governments should introduce internment and deny the piranha the oxygen of publicity. The security forces of the Republic should either take them in or take them out, because their presence stains the soul and the soil of Ireland and the republican movement I once proudly served. Yours, etc., Upper Kilmacud Road, Goatstown, Dublin 14.