Sir, - Garda Commissioner, Pat Byrne, is quoted as saying recently that those responsible for the Omagh massacre would probably never be brought to account despite the fact that their names are known to the police, both in Northern Ireland and the Republic. Almost simultaneously Mr Ahern and other spokespersons for the Dublin Government expressed criticism of the security presence in Border areas and particularly South Armagh.
Do they seriously believe that the withdrawal of security forces would help the current situation? If they do, then I and many people like me despair of Dublin even entering the real world.
When the next disaster occurs, as it assuredly will, let there be no wringing of hands and promise of Draconian measures, just blame the British government, the intransigence of unionists and of course the presence of security forces in the Border areas annoying the local law-abiding citizens.
As John Bruton said in his article (The Irish Times, 15th March), the Irish Government has to stop funking the hard questions. - Yours, etc., Michael Rea,
Bangor, Co Down.