I write this letter not as a member of any political or military grouping but as an unrepentant Irish republican.

The events of recent days have shaken and moved us all in one way or another but I think it has also brought us to the point where some important questions need to be answered. 

I may not put all the questions in this letter but I do think our people are wise and courageous enough to put their own points. Here are mine.

Just as in 1916 and every other decade until this one, British soldiers are still on Irish soil and we are still not equal citizens on our own island.

We are told that under the GFA things would change, but what? There are still large numbers of British soldiers here and the last time I looked Stormont still has two union flags on the roof. We were told that we would now control our own destiny. The Brits are even writing the statements for Sinn Féin.

In the 70s the Brits tried to introduce the Ulsterisation and Normalisation policy branding us as thugs and criminals with no support, our reply through prison and street protest, through hunger strike and the loss of many brave people, exposed this lie. So what is different today? 

The only difference that I can see is that former republicans are now doing the Brits’ dirty work. Have we not learned any lessons from the past? Never will they label our liberation struggle as criminal. These are not my words, but those of Bobby Sands.

Sinn Féin leaders have been telling people lately that we were two communities at war. 

The war, as far as I was concerned, was against British occupation and not sectarian as they now try to portray it. We must look back to look forward. 

We must learn from our past mistakes, we must never let them use us to do their dirty work. 

If you don't agree with armed struggle you should say so, but can you condemn or even call those who choose that path criminals or traitors?

Who said that the Provos held the franchise on armed struggle? Remember what Padraig Pearse said: “The fools, the fools, they have left our Fenian dead and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.”

So as we approach Easter do you feel you are still following in the footsteps of our fallen? 

Remember, they too were called criminals and traitors by some people; to us they were, and always will be, brave Irish people who fought against injustice and gave their lives for us. 

Let us remember with pride their names. 

Finally to the Sinn Féin leadership – when the Brits reward your loyalty to the crown by giving you policing will you be interning traitors? And who are now the traitors? Me, maybe, for daring to speak up?

Republican