We don’t need yarns about the past to maintain good relations now

I THINK it is not very becoming for an acclaimed legislator, Dr Martin Mansergh TD, to be so gratuitously rude to another correspondent, Jack Lane who put his case on Elizabeth Bowen’s reports on World War II in a very scholarly and objective manner (Letters, September 17).

Dr Mansergh, on the other hand, is now relying on a private letter from Prof Brian Girvin to make his case (Letters, September 26).

Apparently, Prof Girvin made a case to Dr Mansergh that he omitted to make in his book on the subject!

Both seek to argue that the Bowen reports were really ‘unofficial’ and sponsored by the Irish High Commissioner in London, John Dulanty, simply because he was aware of her visits. But Dulanty encouraged anyone and everyone to visit Ireland and report on the feeling for neutrality to anyone and everyone who mattered in the British government in order to influence them against possible invasion. That was an essential part of his job at the time.

However, there is no proof whatever that he knew of, or was in any way party to, the secret, paid and destroyed reports — and the necessary deception that Bowen engaged in during those years.

Dr Mansergh seems to think it is necessary for us to rewrite our history to preserve good relations between Ireland and Britain today. Why can’t good history make for good relations? I think both countries and governments are robust and mature enough not to need yarns about their past relations — and espionage has always been a part of relations between them. Espionage is a normal part of government. Most of us have left the nursery.

As regards Bowen’s wish to be buried at Farahy, surely that was a personal, and not a political, matter and it is rather perverse to use it to make a point about her activities during World War II.

Again, not very becoming of Dr Mansergh.

I am disappointed.

Joe Keenan

15 Haywood Ave

Belfast BT73EU