Sir, - Geraldine Kennedy writes that it is "very strange that Mary McAleese, who places such emphasis on her track record, did not boast of her work in the peace process . . ." (The Irish Times, October 20th).
Such a statement tells us more about Ms Kennedy's value system than anything else. Why should she find it strange that there are many, many people in this Christian country of ours who pursue goals and objectives for selfless reasons, for little personal gain, and for no other motivation than the common good? Not everyone needs to "boast" in order to be popular.
Nor does it take a political genius to understand that much of the effort that goes into creating peace in this land goes on quietly, behind the scenes, by the unsung heroes of the peace process. The very fact that they do not boast, and are unsung, is what enables them to be accepted by various shades of opinion as genuine, sincere, and trustworthy. Finally, John Bruton, during his time as leader of this country, must have been well aware of the Redemptorist peace mission, the names of those who were part of it, and the difficult work they were engaging in. I would be amazed if he and his officials did not themselves make use of its good offices. That he should now use that work to slight the name of Mary McAleese is nothing less that a disgrace, and political opportunism of the worst kind. - Yours, etc.,
Mount St Alphonsus, Limerick.