Sir, - Mr Ricard Deasy's letter (December 27th) seeks to rebut an assertion of W. E. Wylie quoted in earlier correspondence that there was no death sentence on Eamon de Valera, therefore there could be no reprieve, etc. Support for Mr Deasy's contention is contained in an Irish Times publication of that period.
On page 64 of the Sinn Fein Rebellion Handbook, Easter 1916 (1917 issue) compiled by the Weekly Irish Times, Dublin, is clearly written:
"The following results of trials by Field General Courtmartial were announced at the Headquarters, Irish Command, Dublin, on Thursday, 11th May Sentenced to death and sentence commuted to penal servitude by the General Officer Commanding in Chief Edward de Valera, penal servitude for life". - Yours, etc.,
Pine View,
Stradbally Road,
Portlaoise,
Co Laois.