LETTER : IRA ceasefire ends: who bears the blame? Can the peace process be revived?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr E. Paull
Sir: Those who heeded the pessimistic predictions of Conor Cruise O'Brien on the future of the peace initiative will not be surprised by the return to violence in the IRA.
Without the IRA and its violence, Sinn Fein would have been an insignificant force in the democratic process; but with the IRA, and the fear it engenders, Sinn Fein has been afforded a status grossly disproportionate to the support it attracts, not only in Northern Ireland, but also in the South.
The dismay and foreboding caused by the bombing has driven those anxious to placate the IRA into allying themselves with Irish nationalists who seek to shift blame for the outrage from its perpetrators on to the British government.
Faithfully,
E. Paull
London, SW16
10 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments