Sir, – We should indeed commemorate those members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who assisted the independence movement in 1919-1922 out of political conviction (Opinion Analysis, August 1st). But we should not honour those who upheld British rule in Ireland. Let us never forget that it was the RIC that prosecuted Britain’s “tithe war” in Ireland 1831-1836, in which hundreds of ordinary people were killed for resisting this unjust tax in outrages across the country.
The RIC and soldiers were always at hand to quell resistance at evictions conducted by the landlords’ bailiffs and their goons.
I understand the motivation of some to accommodate the sensibilities of the unionist tradition and who feel that acknowledgement of the RIC would signify some sort of gesture of respect and reconciliation. But to do so would be a great disservice to those who fought the RIC to win freedom for the people, particularly in the great struggles against landlordism.
You would never see the Americans honouring the Tory loyalists that fought against their ancestors in the American revolution. – Yours, etc,
MÁRTAN Ó CONGHAILE, Castlebrook, Dundrum, Dublin 14.