Moral War?

A Chairde,


Tony Blair's "Moral case for war" is grossly undermined by news that Brigadier Gordon Kerr, the British military intelligence officer facing prosecution for allegedly colluding with loyalist paramilitaries in the murders of Catholics in Ireland, has been sent to the Gulf to head up British spying activities in the Middle East as part of preparations for action in Iraq.

This is the third time that Kerr has been promoted since he headed up the Force Research Unit (FRU), an ultra-secret arm of the British Army's Intelligence Corps which ran agents like Brian Nelson, who was convicted of conspiracy to murder. He has also been rewarded with both an OBE and the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

The move follows a decision on 13 February by Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to forward papers on Kerr and some 20 other members of the security forces who served in the Six Counties to the DPP. The DPP was due to make a decision on whether or not to seek prosecutions against Kerr and the other security force personnel. The posting places Kerr far beyond the reach of either Scotland Yard or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Murdered solicitor Pat Finucane's son Michael, who is himself a Dublin solicitor, said: 'This latest development shows clearly that the government not only supports Kerr but will protect him should he need protection from possible prosecution.'

How can Tony Blair claim there is a "Moral case for war" when his senior intelligence officer in the Gulf has such a dubious record in Ireland?


Seán Marlow.
Dublin 11

The republican imperative

A Chara,


Declan Kearney highlights the "ideological and historic responsibility" imposed on republicans to become active in the cause of national reconciliation, (An Phoblacht, 13 February). Surely he is mistaken to believe that this imperative "stems from the very core of our ideological world view, which asserts that Ireland is comprised of many communities and that our future is infinitely better shared than divided from each other".

Unless I myself am badly mistaken, the imperative on republicans to actively pursue national reconciliation stems from;

1)    the resolve expressed in the 1916 Proclamation that all 'the children of the nation' be cherished equally;

2) the symbolism of the white strip on our national flag, which calls for 'a lasting truce between the orange and the green', (to allow for the seeds of mutual respect, trust, understanding and tolerance to take root and grow);

3) the concept of nationality conceived and preached by Thomas Davis, represented by the tricolour and acknowledged by the 'One Nation' doctrine - that nationality to be based on 'a lofty and heroic love of country', was not to be 'a nationality which would prelude civil war, but (one) which would establish internal union and external independence'.


James McGeever
Co Cavan

Seán Mac Diarmada appeal

A Chairde,


I am currently researching a book on the life of Seán Mac Diarmada, who was executed by the British authorities for his part in the 1916 Rising.

Between 1906 and his death, Mac Diarmada was active throughout the country organising groups such as the Dungannon Clubs, Sinn Féin and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. I would be interested in hearing from any of your readers who may have photographs, letters or documents of any sort relating to Mac Diarmada.

I can be contacted by post c/o Drumlin Publications, Nure, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim or via e-mail on the following address: [email protected]

Any assistance will of course be acknowledged in the forthcoming book.

Many thanks,


Gerard Mac Atasney,
(Details with editor)

Ranganna Gaeilge

A Chairde,


Tá ceithre dhuine dhéag de bhaill Shinn Féin Phortláirge ag freastail ar ranganna gaeilge a reachtáiltear i gclubtheach an Ruáin Mhóir i gCathair Phort Láirge. 'Sé Portláirge le Gaoluinn atá i mbun na ranganna céanna. Tá siad ar siúil le breis agus cúig bliana ach seo é an chéad bhliain a bhaineamar fhéin feidhm astu.

Comh maith le foghlaim na gaeilge tugann sé seo seans do na baill teacht le chéile ag ócáid neamhfhoirmeálta shonasach, agus deis acu an snaidhm caradais ar a chéile a neartú.

Ní hé inniu ná inné a bhíomar ag cuimhneamh ar fhreastal ar na ranganna seo ach i mbliana bheartaíomar ar thosnú i gceart, agus aghaidh a thabhairt ar bhóthar na teangan.

Tá ceithre leibhéal sna ranganna agus cé go bhfuilimíd ag tosnú ag an mbun tá súil againn dul chun cinn a dhéanamh san am atá le teacht agus an t-ardleibhéal a bhaint amach sa toghcaí. Mar a deir an seanfhocal "I ndiaidh a chéile a tógtar na caisleáin."


Jimmy Burns
Sinn Féin Portláirge

Information on Tadhg Barry

A Chairde,


The Countess Markievicz Cumann in Cork City is looking for any information that readers might have regarding Tadhg Barry.

Tadhg came from the Blarney Street area of Cork City and we ndrestand that he was a very active member of Sinn Féin, Óglaigh na héireann, the ITGWU and the GAA (possibly a founder member of St Vincent's H&F club in Cork) in the 1910-1920s period.

We have an old newspaper cutting from the 1960s that tells us that Tadhg was interned in the Ballykinlar Internment Camp until his murder by British sentries there in November 1921.

Any information would be gratefully received by myself, c/o Sinn Féin Corcaigh, at 136 Barrack Street, Cork (Tel: 021 4311389). Obviously, I will guarantee to take great acre of and return any original documents that may be set.


Karl Stone
Cork Sinn Féin