Redmond’s brave supporters valued the British connection

I SUGGEST to Jack Lane (Letters, October 20) that his interpretation of history is even more cynical and inaccurate than those who produced and co-authored The Tudors.

To imply the Redmondites entered the First World War under the illusion that Home Rule meant sovereign independence is an egregious distortion.

Those brave soldiers who supported Redmond valued the connection with Britain and fought to maintain it.

They did indeed die twice, but the act of betrayal came not from the British establishment, but from violent redemptive nationalism. This inhumane spirit tragically traversed the world culminating in the deaths of millions. It did not exist in Ireland until it was summoned i by nationalist villains in 1916, thus inculcating a spirit of violent nationalism and sectarian hatred — a legacy that scarred our country to this day.

Mr Lane should understand that most of the Black and Tans were Londoners (19% were Irishmen) and did not, as legend would claim, have a predisposition to violence. The brutal war imposed on policemen and those opposed to the IRA created a violent context in which the RIC and Tans were compelled to respond.

Mr Lane should realise the public is aware his version of history is little more than a box of tricks which the dead play on the living. The time for Mr Lane, the historical conjurer, to leave the polemical stage has come.

Pierce Martin

Celbridge

Co Kildare