Sir, – Gerry Adams is almost certainly right in saying such things, as the disappearance and murder of Jean McConville, happen in wars ("Adams says incidents such as McConville murder 'happen in wars'", April 3rd). However, what should distinguish a movement that claimed to be fighting for a better society is how it dealt with such issues ethically, morally, politically.
An ethical, moral and political approach would have been to deal with the issue when it happened, return the remains of Jean McConville immediately and deal with the members and conditions that lead to the crime. It did not, however, do that. The fact that it went on to “disappear” more people indicates it was part of an accepted policy within the movement and not just something that happened due to members of that organisation getting out of hand.
The fact that it took so long for it to even to acknowledge its responsibility also says a lot; it says that this was a policy which was to be kept from public view and this, more than anything else, means that it wasn’t just something that just happened. The leadership of the IRA could have dealt with each and every disappearance when it happened and could have taken steps to ensure there was no recurrence. It chose not to do so. It didn’t just happen. – Yours, etc,
GEARÓID Ó LOINGSIGH,
Bogotá,
Colombia.
A chara, – Gerry Adams says of the death of Jean McConville that such things “happen in wars”. His stance on this issue, in particular his refusal to to “disassociate” himself from those who killed her, damages his credibility.
He might consider that unfair; but, as I’m sure he’s well aware, such things happen in politics. – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.
Sir , – Mr Adams does not want to minimise the Jean McConville atrocity . However , he can justify it by claiming “that’s what happens in war ” .
Another classic piece of Sinn Féin doublespeak .
Keep it up, Mr Adams. The hole is getting bigger. – Yours, etc,
NICK O’CONNOR,
Castlebridge,
Wexford.