National records were destroyed Taliban-style

MANUS O’RIORDAN and Fr Iggy O’Donovan (Letters, December 24) point out some discrepancies in my letter (December 18) on the Taliban-style destruction of census records prior to 1901. Juxtaposition of the destruction of records during the War of Independence and Civil War, some gremlins and necessary editing of my letter presented the picture as obtained, which was not far removed from actual fact.

As Shakespeare said, “a rose by any other name is still the same”.

Indeed the Custom House was destroyed during War of Independence when many priceless documents were lost forever. The Four Courts was destroyed during the Civil War.

Mr O’Riordan, who exonerates republicans, quotes Churchill about the title deeds of Ireland being safe.

My reference source also quotes this, plus the fact “that after three days of shelling, republicans in the Four Courts surrendered, but not before blowing up much of the building which contained Public Records Office and some irreplaceable records (including census returns from 1821-1851).”

A common feature of both these episodes was Eamon de Valera. He was responsible for the attack on the Custom House and while not being directly responsible for the Four Courts, he did nothing to discourage it either, given his powerful position.

I’m certain Mr O’Riordan and Fr O’Donovan deplore, as I do, such philistine losses — especially Fr O’Donovan whose church places such value on the written word and tradition. Records such as these survived Nazi and communist convulsions in other countries.

Brendan Cafferty

Creggs Road

Ballina

Co Mayo