SEAN WHELAN,
Madam, - Gerry Moriarty, in his article on the new biography of Joe Cahill (The Irish Times, October 23rd), raises a very interesting point. He poses the question: if the Cathal Goulding line had gained ascendancy in the Republican movement 30 years ago, would much of the sectarian slaughter in Northern Ireland have been avoided?
We can never know for certain, but what is undeniable is that the Provisional IRA's campaign over this period increased sectarian tensions. Many Protestants who might have been favourably disposed to a united Ireland were alienated and turned their backs on their Irish identity as a result of a campaign they perceived as being directed against their community.
The reality is that Joe Cahill has much more in common with the White Boys than the United Irishmen. It is a tragedy for our country that the secular republicanism of Wolfe Tone and Cathal Goulding has been eclipsed, albeit only temporarily. - Yours, etc.,
SEAN WHELAN, Ormond Keep, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.