Sir, - Finian Cunningham (June 18th) alleges that Northern Ireland "is an illegitimate state, born out of violence by the British and their unionist henchmen upon the Irish people". Mr Cunningham may not be able to accept that these "unionist henchmen" are as Irish as he is. Being Irish and being a republican, or nationalist, are not synonymous.
Irish nationality and identity is a much contested thing and means different things to different people, all of whom are equally Irish. Unionists' identity is based on their legitimate claims to be Britons and until people like Mr Cunningham accept such a legitimate identity there will never be a peaceful Ireland, let alone a united one.
Mr Cunningham states that Northern Ireland was born out of violence, which renders it illegitimate. What, pray tell, was the southern Republic born out of? Does that make it illegitimate also? For many southern Unionists, at the time of the 1919-23 Troubles the republic which was being fought for was illegitimate. However, at best these views were ignored, at worst silenced, as recent historical research has brought to light.
While this does not excuse the treatment of Northern Catholics, Mr Cunningham would do well to remember that Irish people of both traditions and religions have suffered violence by "henchmen" and that the "transgressions" that he speaks of were perpetrated by both communities which make up the Irish people. Thankfully, in the Republic violence by "henchmen" has been rare, maybe as much for demographic reasons (i.e. one community has always been very much numerically and socially preponderant and as a result has no need to fear the "other" community's power) as any other.
However, persecution by "henchmen" does not mean that an entire community from which the "henchmen" may originate should forfeit its legitimate identity or that individuals such as Prof Paul Bew cannot promote their legitimate political standpoint. - Yours, etc.,
Westley Forsythe, Camden Road, Crosshaven, Co Cork.