A great soldier who made only one mistake

I WAS really angered by Ryle Dwyer’s unwarranted attack (Irish Examiner, January 8) on the reputation of Gen Tom Barry, a great soldier who fought the good fight in the War of Independence.

My father, Capt Jim Burke, and my uncle, Denis Burke, buried the Irish dead after the Kilmichael ambush.

Tom Barry made only one mistake and that was to stand for the Dáil - Teampall a Banbh Gallda - full of fawning minions walking on their knees to Westminster - Teampall na Muc.