Sir, - Brendan O Cathaoir states (May 27th) that three unarmed youths were killed in Cushendall as a reprisal for the shooting of Sir Henry Wilson on June 22nd, 1922.
I was a pupil, aged 10, at the Bay School, Glenariff at that time. I have a clear memory of the school being searched by B Specials, date forgotten but given by Michael Farrell (Northern Ireland: The Orange State) as June 21st.
The Specials' behaviour was correct, except when one of them who stood guard over us suddenly raised his rifle and crashed its butt against the wooden floor, sending us all into deep fright.
They left, piled into their Crossley Tenders and turned up the Glen Road. Firing was heard almost at once, indicating that they had been ambushed, and through the windows we could see several men leaping slantwise down the glen side.
The school principal, my father, promptly dismissed the school and led the retreat on his push bike. Cowardice or prudence? It is not easy to judge.
My home was a little way out of Cushendall, and my understanding is that the Specials who had been attacked and who, incidentally, suffered no casualties, went on to Cushendall and shot up the place that same evening in reprisal.
Two IRA members, McVeigh and McAlister, died in the ambush. Their names are on the monument to the rebel dead in Milltown Cemetery, Belfast. - Yours, etc.,
Taney Avenue,
Goatstown, Dublin 14.