Letters: Families of those killed in 1974 attacks have already waited too long for answers

She calls on them to do the honourable thing by illuminating the killing of innocent Irish citizens on May 17, 1974.

It is now 50 years since the atrocities and while there is a vast array of informed hearsay, there is no official transparency.

How any self-respecting national governance system could have allowed such an abomination to pass by without any real effort to investigate compliance is a grotesque insult to the deceased and their families.

Most people who have followed the aftermath of this heinous crime broadly know the likely core truth.

The lack of state interest must rate as an affront beyond words. The British, too, have many troublesome questions to address.

The shadow of a long litany of injustices, such as a shoot-to-kill policy, and the treatment of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four, still lingers.

The Irish official response, or total lack of it, is almost no less debilitating.

Surely, in a time when past travesties and atrocities are being properly investigated and called out, the Dublin-Monaghan bombings warrant urgent attention.

Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford

Government’s change of tack on immigration owes much to election anxieties

It feels like only a few weeks since anyone who dared to criticise our immigration system was called a racist and far-right troublemaker.

Now, it seems we are presented with a new government measure on this issue every five minutes. These measures broadly mirror the views expressed by the so-called racists and far-righters.

It would appear we are witnessing a Pauline conversion on behalf of the political establishment. While Paul the Apostle’s volte-face was definitely genuine (enduring death for his convictions), one has doubts about the bona fides of our political masters.

A cynic might suggest that a combination of the recent referendum results and forthcoming elections had no small part to play in this extraordinary about-turn.

Eric Conway, Navan, Co Meath

Addressing harsh realities of life at Pentecost mass under glare of a rising sun

The sun was rising over the Cavan drumlins and lakes as a special dawn mass was celebrated on Sunday at the historic Drumlane Abbey to celebrate Pentecost Day.

Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season.

The celebrant began his reflection by quoting one of the characters in the film That They May Face the Rising Sun, which is based on the book by John McGahern.

“The rain comes down, the sun shines, grass grows, children grow old and die.

“That’s the holy all of it. We all know it full well but can’t even whisper it.”

He then spoke about the key tenets of the Christian faith.

Gerry Comiskey, Drumlane, Co Cavan

With a dapper dress sense and the sharpest of minds, O’Reilly towered over elites

There have been many wonderful tributes to Tony O’Reilly and your editorial captures the essence of this hugely accomplished Irishman (‘Titan O’Reilly made an impact on so many aspects of Irish life’, Editorial, May 20).

I would also like to add that he was always impeccably dressed. His distinctive shirt-and-tie combination made him stand out among the rich and powerful.

He may have fallen on hard times in recent years, but his legacy is assured as one of the greatest and most influential Irish business enablers of the last 50 years.

May he rest peacefully.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry

For peace to prosper, both sides must dig deep and find the courage to forgive

Yesterday morning, I read a news article about a man claiming responsibility for the 1979 murder of Louis Mountbatten, two young boys and an elderly lady in Sligo.

“I blew up Earl Mountbatten in Sligo, but I had a justification – he had come to my country,” the man said. “Look at the Famine... are we to forget that?

“The Black and Tans? He came to my country and murdered my people and I fought back. I hit them back.”

Yesterday afternoon, I watched an interview with Professor Joseph Campbell, who is renowned for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion.

He spoke of the destruction of 6,000-plus monasteries in Tibet by the Chinese air force, which killed thousands of Tibetan people, including many monks and nuns.

To this day, no Buddhist will say a word against the Chinese people.

Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia

Bruce Springsteen gig a spiritual experience I was fortunate to share with devoted fans

Nine days ago in Kilkenny, I attended my first Bruce Springsteen gig. I intended to see him in action for decades, but for one reason or another it never happened.

I’m so glad I finally got to see him. From the moment The Boss and his brilliant E Street Band arrived on stage to his final acoustic solo, it was a near-transcendental experience.

I have never witnessed such love and emotion for one man, and it’s clear he feels the same way about his fans.

For three hours, I was carried along on a wave of positive energy that was impossible to resist.

Springsteen brings out the very best in us through his music.

His songs convey the entire human experience – from the precious highs to the difficult lows in life – in a way that very few other artists can.

He delves into the deepest of emotions – love, fear, disappointment and grief – and reflects them back to the crowd in a way that is very powerful.

The stand-out moment for me was his acoustic version of I’ll See You in My Dreams at the end of the night. He seemed quite emotional as the 27,000-strong crowd sang the chorus back to him.

Somehow, he has that rare ability to take on board our deepest thoughts and feelings and sing them back to us.

That genuine connection and love for his fans, coupled with his talent and energy, is unparalleled.

Aisling Delahunty, Kildare town