They were traitors...

I refer to JA Barnwell’s letter (Feb 23) asserting that the title of “collaborator” can never be awarded to citizens of non-belligerent states.

The facts of the matter are that Ryan, Russell et al in the IRA, while they were citizens of a neutral state (those in Northern Ireland were British citizens), refused to recognise the legitimacy of the Irish state and were “at war” with the Irish and British governments and in collaboration with the Nazis, both directly and indirectly.

They were quite simply traitors.

What they thought of Ireland’s neutrality matters not one whit as they did not recognise the Irish Government.

They were collaborators and traitors, both sides of the one coin.

Captain Donal Buckley

Castlebar

Co Mayo