Wrong location

SO Brendan Cafferty regrets the loss of census returns (Letters, December 18) in the “inglorious destruction of the Custom House in the Civil War”.

I do not know which historical sources Mr Cafferty is using, but to the best of my knowledge the destruction of the Custom House took place in the early summer of 1921. It was one of the last major engagements in the War of Independence. I appreciate his concern at the loss of historical documents, but historical accuracy and truth are of paramount importance.

Perhaps Mr Cafferty is confusing the destruction of the Custom House with that of the Four Courts, which took place at the beginning of the Civil War in 1922. A further visit to his local library, which he tells us he frequents, should clarify the matter for him.