No cead mile fáilte for the queen

JAMES McGRATH’S letter (March 10) on Queen Elizabeth’s visit is hugely misplaced.

When I and many others went to work in the UK we took up jobs our British counterparts would not do, invariably at less pay.

There was a fair and free contract, our expertise and labour for their money. To boot we added greatly to their economy.

We owe them nothing, nor they us.

Also, to predicate a welcome to the British queen’s visit on the appalling mess some of our politicians (FF) have made of our country, is akin to welcoming Dairmuit MacMurchada’s invitation to Strongbow in 1166 because local Gaelic chiefs rowed among themselves. Look what that episode brought us, nearly 900 years of subjugation, and denial of basic civil rights in some parts of Ireland up until recently.

I do not want to dwell on history.

But British mendacity, machination and injustice continues to the present day as long as they refuse to come clean and hand over information to the Irish authorities on their various overt and covert (many illegal) activities in Irish affairs in the last 40 years.

South Africa had a truth commission to purge their past and heal their wounds.

The British should co-operate in like manner.

If our two nations are truly to draw a line under the past we need to draw a complete line and not leave smouldering hostages to fortune.

I do hope a time will come soon when a British queen (she is neither “The queen” nor “Her Majesty” as Mr McGrath would have it) will be truly welcome in Ireland, but that time has not yet come.

As for begging her to take us (Eire) back, methinks Mr McGrath’s misplaced loyalties should transport him in that direction.

Kevin T Finn

Mitchelstown

Co Cork