Madam, - Like Liam Coyle (May 5th) I am very relieved for the people of Northern Ireland that their hardships are finally over, but I have very conflicting emotions in observing the political prominence of the former warmongers.
If that is the price of peace, so be it. But it is a bitter pill to swallow for the relatives of the nearly 4,000 dead, that this is a peace that could have been brokered decades ago. Unfortunately for those people, we all had to wait until the passions of the main players had finally cooled.
Our thoughts are not only with the bereaved families but also with the many brave politicians who sacrificed their own political prominence for the sake of peace in Northern Ireland.
They are the true heroes in this welcome but a bitter sweet scenario. - Yours, etc,
CYNTHIA CARROLL, Portryan, Newport, Co Tipperary.
Madam, - Your Editorial of May 9th rightly pays credit to a number of people who played important roles in bringing about the historic new dawn in Northern Ireland. I find it incredible that you omitted any mention of Senator George Mitchell.
Surely he was the Atlas who bore the burden of Northern Ireland at the most fragile time and, through his diplomatic skill and patience, kept the massing clouds apart long enough to let "the sunrise of this morning" ultimately shine through. In five pages of coverage the only acknowledgement of Senator Mitchell is a passing reference by Congressman Tom Foley. Shame! - Yours, etc,
JOHN QUINN, Stradbally North, Clarinbridge, Co Galway.
Madam, - Eaten bread is soon forgotten. How petty, in the light of the wonderful events of the last week that neither Seamus Mallon nor David Trimble was invited to Stormont. - Yours etc,
KATE McCOY, Newbridge, Co Kildare.