Letters: Michael McDowell is wrong about RTÉ being infiltrated by ‘Stalinists' at the height of the IRA's war against the Irish people

Irish Independent

01-06-2025

In doing so he distorted the historical record and recycled the hairy old conspiracy theory that RTÉ had been 'infiltrated' by The Workers Party activists who held the station's current affairs coverage in a 'vice-like grip'.
I was one of the 'Stalinists' senator McDowell was getting at in his interview with Dónal Lynch. For the record, I wasn't 'infiltrated' into RTÉ in 1978 but was offered the post of producer/director after a rigorous open public competition.
I joined the current affairs programme Today Tonight in 1980 and was part of a large editorial team who robustly debated how to cover the biggest story of the day: the Provisional republican movement's attempt to take power in Ireland, North and south, through 'the ballot box and the Armalite'.
Like the majority of my producer and researcher colleagues in RTÉ at the time I supported the ban on Provo and loyalist frontmen appearing on air to justify their terror campaigns.
In backing Section 31, I and others like me in RTÉ, believed we were acting in defence of Irish democracy against an evil sectarian insurgency that sought to plunge the island of Ireland into a full scale ethnic civil war.
In Dáil Éireann Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and the Progressive Democrats all embraced this point of view. Workers Party TDs took the opposite view and voted in support of the arguments advanced by purist advocates of free speech and most RTÉ journalists. Their contention was that the apologists for murder would be held to account by tough forensic journalism. That never happened.
In 1994 the ban on Sinn Féin appearing on RTÉ was lifted. At that time the Provos had no TDs sitting in Dáil Éireann. Thirty years later, despite being unrepentant about the war crimes of its military wing, Sinn Féin has 39 TDs, one more than Fine Gael.
Like senator McDowell I regard the Provisional IRA campaign that Sinn Féin justifies as an 'abomination'.
That murderous Provisional 'abomination' was at its most lethal in the 1970s and 80s. I am proud to state that I was one of many RTÉ programme makers who saw the slaughter perpetrated on behalf of 'Irish freedom' by Provo 'volunteers' for what it was, and called it out when it was most needed.
Gerry Gregg, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Our politicians must act on Gaza genocide
Madam — In years to come, a global generation of young people will confront their parents with two simple questions. What did you do to oppose the catastrophic genocide of innocent civilians in Gaza and what did you do to resist the deliberately induced famine? The very least we should be able to answer is that we demanded of our TDs an immediate implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill. A piece of legislation which in and of itself is a totally inadequate response to the incremental displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank and yet consecutive Irish governments have found multiple excuses to not apply even this deficient response. If we do not mobilise as a national collective to demand our representatives act on Israeli genocide, we, too, will have to bear the guilt of the morally outraged, yet at the same time otherwise engaged citizen.
Kevin McCarthy, Killaloe, Co Clare
Put Israel's horrible crimes on front page
Madam — I read the article last week, 'Doctor sees nine of her 10 children killed in new IDF atrocity', and wondered why it wasn't on the front page. These awful atrocities by Israel continue and our national news is more interested in what new disrespectful, bully-boy tactics have been dreamed up by Trump, giving him priority.
What has happened in the world where poor children can just be killed by a powerful and rich nation, cheered on by the USA (a country I used to respect), while the rest of the world seems afraid to show our total disgust. The bad will continue to wreak havoc uncontested if the good remain silent.
I am proud that Ireland is vocal in its condemnation of Israel, but the media needs to give it more priority. Less prominent pages of newspapers can be reserved for Trump news.
Siobhán Buckley, Mallow, Co Cork
Have we forgotten Hamas started this?
Madam — Letter writers last week wrote about the suffering of children in Gaza and accused Israel of genocide. No mention that the current war began when Hamas perpetrated the highest number of murders of Jews in one day since the Holocaust.
If the Israeli military campaign in Gaza was genocide then the Allied campaign against Nazi Germany would have been genocide, too.
Ciarán Masterson, Cathedral Road, Cavan
Stunning lack of empathy by Boyne
Madam — John Boyne writes that he came out as gay to unequivocal family support. Many of us were not so lucky. He also says he was too afraid to attend Pride as a teenager. Many of us attend Pride, and campaign for our community, in spite of or even because of that fear.
If all he can do at a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the world is sit on the sidelines and throw barbs at a community he has never needed or aided, that might go some way to explain why our community doesn't need or heed him now.
Jess Connor, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 Madam — In his recent article, John Boyne argued for the repeal of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2015, referring to it as 'problematic at best, and deeply misogynistic at worst'. Yet he offers no explanation as to what these problems might be. The issue of gender recognition has been thoroughly examined by the Irish courts and the Dáil since Dr Lydia Foy's case began in 1997. To scrap this legislation would make Irish law incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr Boyne mentions 'fear of being attacked' as a teenager. Yet repealing the GRA (the mechanism by which trans people can update documents to match their gender, presentation and appearance) would force trans people to out themselves constantly. We face the same hatred, from the same people, but Mr Boyne refuses to empathise with us. He would prefer to split our community based on our differences, rather than unite under our shared struggle.
Ciara Witts, Birr, Co Offaly Madam — John Boyne's column reads like a lengthy exercise in privilege, positioning himself as a spokesperson for a 'respectable' gay minority. His account of coming out to unequivocal family support, a string of relationships, and public success is not just his personal experience — it's a profoundly atypical one.
His suggestion that Pride is no longer necessary because his life is comfortable reveals a breathtaking detachment from the daily realities still faced by many LGBTQ+ people. Pride was not built for those who never needed it.
Boyne's attempt to distance himself from LGBTQ+ culture does not make him brave or insightful. It makes him condescending. To imply that queer students are just 'ruthlessly straight middle-class' dilettantes, or that trans women pose a threat to women's rights, is scapegoating — fear dressed as reason. He praises the Cass Review as if it were universally respected, failing to acknowledge the flaws that have prompted criticism from within the medical and academic communities.
What Boyne dismisses as hollow allyship — being told he is 'loved, seen and heard' — is, in fact, empathy. His rejection of it says more about his own discomfort than the intentions of allies. Empathy, not elitism, is what underpins meaningful progress.
Caz Koopman, Cobh, Co Cork
Brave and balanced column from Boyne
Madam — I wish to compliment John Boyne on his brave, balanced, honest and insightful article about being gay. He sums it up very well when he says, 'it is just the way I was born'. I agree.
Dr Pat Mc Grath, Monkstown, Co Dublin Madam — It is wonderful to read John Boyne's clear and refreshing refutation of our modern 'Pride' celebration and the LGBTQ+ label. At a time when Pride flags are draped year round outside secondary schools and youth centres, we have to wonder what confusing ideology is being promoted to our youth in the guise of compassion and inclusion. The pendulum has swung too far and clear thinking and maturity is needed from the leaders of our community. Boyne is clearly showing leadership here and I hope our educators listen.
Alan Coakey, Roscommon town
Vance will continue Trump's vile legacy
Madam — As someone who has visited the United States many times, it saddens me that I will probably never go there again. Trump's recent intention to have the social media accounts of visa applicants looked at is not only creepy, but scary. To me it is the last straw.
This is going to cause widespread damage to the plans of students in Ireland who go to America every summer to work on a J1 visa. And after he is gone, his legacy will still linger as the much younger and even more right-wing JD Vance, the vice president who has publicly let it be known that he dislikes foreigners immensely, especially Europeans, will carry on Trump's catastrophic policy of ripping America's reputation to bits.
Mike Burke, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare
Well done Nikki, you are a brave woman
Madam — I want to congratulate Nikki Hayes for being so candid with Niamh Horan in last week's Sunday Independent. I was stuck by the veracity of Nikki's story and I want to take this opportunity to wish this brave woman every good wish for the future.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Liberal feminists are opposed to surrogacy
Madam — As an Irish pro-choice, pro-gay marriage feminist, I was delighted to read in the Sunday Independent that the commencement of the Government's recently enacted surrogacy legislation has been paused and that a reconsideration is taking place.
It is simply not the case that only conservative people oppose this legislation. There are very many liberal feminists in Ireland who oppose surrogacy because they want and work towards the best possible life for women and girls and this does not include having babies for anyone other than themselves.
Anne Weadick, Galway city
Kane interview a pure masterpiece
Madam — How timely was Niall MacMonagle's interview with artist Michael Kane. Niall interviewed the artist before the opening of his exhibition in the Taylor Galleries. Michael died the day after. This particular interview captured the essence of the artist and this particular column is to be treasured because it captures the essence of the man.
Niall is a superb interpreter of the art world and we could do with more words and more space from this columnist.
Phyl Herbert, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Michelin Man needs to go outside Dublin
Madam — Your restaurant critic's review is my 'go-to' page in Life magazine. It is always enjoyable. Last week, Lucinda asked: 'Could this be the first 3-star?' This being Chapter One restaurant in Dublin and the 3-star being the elusive Michelin award.
She supports her suggestion by telling us that, at the recent RAI awards, Chapter One, a Michelin 2-star restaurant, took the gong for the best restaurant in Dublin. I have no doubt that this is truly deserved.
However, at the very same awards ceremony, Dede in Baltimore, also a Michelin 2-star restaurant, not only took the gong for the best restaurant in Ireland, but, as it happened, retained the gong won in 2024 for the best restaurant in Ireland.
I would respectfully suggest that the Michelin Man should be more inclined, if and when they give the 3 stars, to look at the best in Ireland, rather than the best in Dublin — even if it is in West Cork, rather than in the capital.
Michael Kenefick, Whitegate, Co Cork
Why didn't Harris take housing job?
Madam — Gabija Gataveckaite and Mary Regan's timely piece recently highlighted growing coalition unease over James Browne's performance as Housing Minister.
It's hard not to ask: why didn't Simon Harris, as FG leader, take the role himself? With housing in crisis, it would have been a clear signal of leadership. Instead, he chose Foreign Affairs and Defence.
As Shane Ross noted recently, Ireland is acting like 'a small country with a swollen head'. With record homelessness and housing starts at a four-year low, Harris's decision speaks volumes. When the house is on fire, he is out installing satellite dishes. A housing tsar might yet be appointed, but we needed a political heavyweight months ago.
Dylan Redmond, Leixlip, Co Kildare
Biden's record will stand test of time
Madam — In response to a letter writer who pined for a more charismatic and youthful president of the United States, I wrote a letter to your newspaper with 'Boring Joe Biden is doing just fine. He doesn't have to leave his basement to get votes and instead concentrates on policy and enacting legislation'.
Your predecessor edited those words to 'Boring old Joe Biden' and gave me €50. Reading Shane Ross's article last week, 'Politics is a vocation where vanity captures its victims — I should know', I'm reminded of that ageist sentence. Joe Biden was boring but by any standard he was one of the most successful bipartisan legislators of the past 50 years in US politics. What he was not good for though was selling newspapers or advertisements on cable TV.
And therein lies the problem in the English-speaking western media. The 46th US president may still have lost to Donald Trump had he resisted the pile-on from the media and others to step down, but his record in government will stand the test of time.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry
Again, please give us a capital M for mass
Madam — If mass is the scientific term for the quantity of matter in a given object, and Mass is the ceremony that celebrates the sacrament of the eucharist, might it be a good idea to differentiate the two by using lowercase and uppercase?
Mary Lally, Clontarf, Dublin 3
'Uncharted' crew the real heroes
Madam — Having watched Uncharted on RTÉ, may I compliment the real heroes, the camera crew and the back-up team who took serious risks to get the daring footage. Well done also to Ray Goggins and the other amazing participants on their bravery.
PJ Callanan, Craughwell, Co Galway