To whom it may concern,
I wish to address a few inaccuracies in Mark Hennessy’s article, “Ireland’s Freedom Was Not Won, It was Given”, printed on July 20th in the Weekend Irish Times. My concerns primarily relate to depictions made of my father, Tom Maguire.
Mr Hennessy creates a picture of a visit by John O’Beirne Ranelagh to my father’s home, where it’s implied that we had a butler. This is simply not the truth. There was never anyone of that profession in our home. Further, the article implies that my father wore a morning coat, portraying himself as ‘president of the Republic’. This is also incorrect. Neither has he ever claimed a presidential title of any sort.
Regarding the claim made by Mr O’Beirne Ranelagh about my father posing in front of the Irish flag, I’d like to state that such a flag was never hung in our home.
Crucial misunderstandings also creep in while referencing my father’s financial matters. The notion that my father was exclusively using sterling while running his substantial and successful insurance brokerage is laughable at best and blatantly wrong.
The concluding claim that my father evaded paying taxes is also completely inaccurate.
Best Wishes,
TJ MAGUIRE,
Galway.