Arlene Foster and 1916 Rising leaders

Sir, – First Minister Arlene Foster's claim that many of the 1916 Rising leaders were egotists who were doing it to bring glory on themselves seems a case of the kettle calling the pot black (Front Page, March 31st).

I suggest that the Rising might never have taken place and that Pearse and his associates might be remembered, if at all, only as enthusiasts for Irish language and culture and have died peacefully in their beds had not the Ulster unionists reintroduced the gun into the politics of Ireland in 1912. That’s where it all started. – Yours, etc,

TOM GILLEN,

Dundrum,

Dublin 14.