Madam, - Michael McDowell's reported statement that going to see Anne McCabe to explain why her deceased husband's killers should be released would be "one of the happiest journeys I would make in my life" is truly nauseating.
While the signing of yet another comprehensive deal in Belfast would have been welcome, it should be no cause for ecstatic celebration. We all thought we were there before. As for the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe, they should be no part of any deal. When I was a member of Dáil Éireann, in reply to Questions tabled by me, the then Fianna Fáil/PD government made it clear that no such deal would be done.
If Michael McDowell does speak to Anne McCabe, he should show some humility and hang his head in shame. While there is probably no realistic probability of his doing so, a little less bombast and courtroom rhetoric and some scintilla of insight and basic humanity would at least help. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN SHATTER,
Upper Ely Place,
Dublin 2.
Madam, - There is one oversight on the part of the majority of your contributors that I feel is is crucial to determining the culpability of the Taoiseach in breaking Mr O'Donoghue's promise to Garda McCabe's widow.
Simply: Why would Bertie Ahern want the killers of Garda McCabe released, with all the political damage it would do him, if it was not absolutely necessary. He gains nothing from the decision.
For a cunning man, well known for his political acumen, it hardly likely that he underestimated the significance of the matter to the public. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL KEARY,
Laurentian University,
Sudbury, Ontario,
Canada.
Madam, - It seems to me to be grossly unfair for Mrs Anne McCabe to be placed by Mr Ahern and the Government in the position where the survival of the Northern Ireland peace process is seen to depend on her turning a blind eye to the early release of her husband's murderers.
The fact is that Government members, through gross mismanagement of their dealings with Sinn Féin, have allowed themselves to be painted into a corner. The Minister for Justice's remark that "it would be the happiest day of his life when he has to make the journey to Mrs McCabe" - supposedly when he is finally satisfied that Sinn Féin will keep its word (some hope!) - strikes me as being highly offensive.
Mr Adams and his colleagues are serial negotiators and debaters; they seem uncomfortable in any other mode. Mr Paisley and his crowd are little better.
Leave Mrs McCabe and the Garda Síochána out of all this, Mr Ahern. If this chance is missed, the blame should be laid much nearer home and come the next election, I, for one, will know where to place it. - Yours, etc.,
LOUIS HOGAN,
Shankill,
Dublin 18.
Madam, - In all the furore about the Castlerea Four and the recent statements from the Taoiseach, is it just the cynic in me that suspects he has already lined up his next coalition partners? - Yours, etc.,
PAUL O'ROURKE,
Blessington Street,
Dublin 7.
Madam, - I never thought it would come to this, but with Ahern negotiating on our behalf with the IRA, we may thank God for the DUP. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID JOYCE,
Seabury Parade,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.