A chara, - Michael McDowell's claim that there is "an abundance of evidence" linking the IRA/Sinn Féin to criminal activity for fundraising purposes is as obviously indisputable as Martin McGuinness's rejection of the claim is breathtakingly incredible.
When Mr McGuinness dismisses the assertions as "windbaggery" (The Irish Times, January 23rd) does he really believe people have forgotten the circumstances in which Det Jerry McCabe was murdered? When Mr McGuinness advises that "it is important to note that no member of Sinn Féin had been called before any tribunal investigating corruption by politicians" has he forgotten that two of his TDs, Arthur Morgan and Martin Ferris, are convicted criminals?
Mr McGuinness derides it all as unionist propaganda, but I am a republican who opposed the Good Friday Agreement and the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 and I am appalled that a party with such abiding links to criminality purports to present me and my views and ideology.
We have pussyfooted around Sinn Féin for far too long now, while they sit back and bask in the glorious adulation, the fawning attention of world leaders, rising poll figures and sweeping election results.
Well done, Mr McDowell. About bloody time someone took them on! - Is mise,
DAVID CARROLL, Castle Gate, Dublin 2.