More truth about 1916 please

Sir, – I was struck by the honesty and clear-headed logic in Jim Holohan's letter on the subject of the Rising (Letters, April 1st).

Much of what passes for debate around the events of 1916 is clouded by the various historical narratives that vie with each other for authenticity and acceptance. There is little, if any, middle ground to be found.

Based on the undisputed facts surrounding the events of 1916, it is clear that an underground organisation, led by a small and unrepresentative group of people, conspired to take over the GPO. They did so without any mandate from the people they claimed to represent.

Locals in the area of the assault were appalled at what had happened. Hundreds of men, women and children were killed or injured in the fighting that followed.

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The execution of the Rising’s leaders inevitably galvanised nationalist opinion, culminating in a fair wind for Sinn Féin in 1918. The IRA has existed in one form or other since then — finally coming to an end after almost 40 years of a terrorist campaign in Northern Ireland.

The peace process that followed has created further instability in both parts of the island. Some legacy! – Yours, etc, NIALL GINTY Killester, Dublin 5.