MOST of us like a good yarn, especially one set against a backdrop of Christmas with seasonal goodwill towards those who have fallen on hard times.

However the bizarre scenario outlined on Six One by the Taoiseach as to how he came to receive gifts of 50,000 from his friends in 1993 takes the proverbial biscuit.

The Taoiseach's latest wheeze is to ask us to believe a now deceased professional without his knowledge approached business acquaintances with a view to giving him a dig-out when he had fallen on hard times. Initial resistance to this generous offer was eventually overcome. This arrangement was known as a debt of honour, a debt which was never addressed.

Bertie Ahern's real failing is his hypocrisy. Just as CJ Haughey's famous 'living beyond our means' speech was shown for the double standard it was, Mr Ahern will go down as the man who warned against politicians being beholden by donations from supporters, while at the same time having trousered cash when he felt he could get away with it.

Not even Paddy the Plasterer could plaster over these cracks in this charade.

Cllr Joe Ryan, Cromwellsfort Drive, Wexford.

From bust to boom to bricks and mortar From Derek Smith

APROPOS of the current controversy in relation to financial matters dating from 1993, known to involve the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the Sunday Tribune of 24 September described Mr Ahern as being "broke" in 1993. How then was he able to pay 200,000 for a new house off Griffith Avenue soon after 1993? I remember the Daily Star devoted two pages to the topic soon after Mr Ahern and his then partner Celia Larkin moved in to the house.

Both posed happily, and voluntarily, for photographers.

"Broke" one week, and flush with money the next.

Derek Smith, 496 North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

Bertie the rover's return From Keith Nolan

HEADLINE writers comparing Bertie's predicament with the noble cause of the Manchester martyrs is an insult to their memory.

I would compare his association to the city with a banal storyline from the longrunning soap opera produced from TV studios there.

Keith Nolan, Carrick~on~Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Manchester: not much to answer for From Derek Toner ISthe payment of one-off small amounts to the Taoiseach by political cronies and Manchester businessmen that sinister?

This is hardly a substantive issue akin to the Blair administration misleading parliament about the existence of weapons of mass destruction.

Simply, the attack on the Taoiseach is an embarrassment to the country.

Maybe I'm missing the point, but where is the criminality, where is the corruption, where is the off-shore bank account?

The Taoiseach's mistakes are simply mistakes.

Derek Toner, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

PSNI blessing gets 'amen' from Adams From Brian Rooney

ON the BBC radio programme Sunday Sequence (17 September), Gerry Adams gave his provisional "amen", echoed by acolyte Gerry Kelly, to a final blessing of the PSNI, bestowed by American high priest of republicanism, Fr Sean McManus.

Now, let all process in peace to their final goal, the great assembly on the hill . . . Stormont, or failing that, the Oireachtas will do nicely.

Brian Rooney, 14 The Heights, Downpatrick, Co Down.

Nuala knows there's no smoke without "re From Mark Tighe

I FIND it hard to believe that Nuala O'Faolain was "amazed" to see a story published in The Sunday Times on the recent fire in her house (News, 24 September 2006). In two separate emails, on the Friday before publication, I told her I was writing a piece, and that I'd spoken to gardai who'd said they suspected arson. She even provided me with a quote for the piece.

Last week in your newspaper she wrote: "I emailed the man who wrote the story to ask him who told him there was an arsonist in pursuit of me." She did not. Her email asked for the "name and contact details of the garda who confirmed your story." I told her that, as a journalist like myself, she should understand that I could not reveal my source.

Ms O'Faolain implies that my story was based on "gossip" because no gardai will admit to speaking to me. But I did speak to one of those gardai she mentioned. Ironically, her column contains further detail that was not in my story, ie, that the fire brigade believe the fire at her house was caused by "possible malicious intent."

Sounds like a case of no smoke without fire.

Mark Tighe, Sunday Times, Dublin 2.

O'Gara's remarks just do not square From Aileen Cox

I REFER to the interview with Noel O'Gara and wish to address one point which he has repeatedly made. He has described Dartmouth Square in a number of discussions and interviews as an amenity "for millionaires" and "for the middle classes."

And then he raises the question as to whether anyone from Clondalkin would be invited to share it.

Ignoring the implied insult to the good citizens of Clondalkin, I can comment on the users of the square.

I am a regular dog walker and, as a result know and have observed many of the wide range of people who use the square, to walk their dogs, to exercise their children, to lunch, to bring a coffee and sit for a while in this little oasis in the city.

The park is in a particularly attractive square of houses, some of which may be privately owned and many of which are used as offices and at least one as a creche. The area of Charlemont, Ranelagh and Leeson Street is rapidly losing its private gardens to town houses which possess little or no outdoor spaces. Many of the older houses in the area are divided into one- and tworoom flats.

There are a number of new apartments nearby, another creche down the road, offices, shops, a homeless hostel and a Luas station.

Thousands of people live and work in the immediate neighbourhood and the square is a welcome space to the many who use it regularly.

Living as close as we are to the city centre, there is precious little green space left, private or public and it is disingenuous at the least to suggest that those who happen to be resident on Dartmouth Square have the least influence on who uses this or any public park.

Mr O'Gara is profiteering on the negligence or mistakes of others, but it is the citizens of this state who, either financially or through the loss of a precious facility, will pay for his opportunism.

Aileen Cox, Dublin 6.

Moynihan a great footballing servant From Mairead O'Mahony

ON HEARING the news of Seamus Moynihan's retirement from inter-county football, I was reminded of tennis player Arthur Ashe's words when asked about heroism: "True heroism is remarkably undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve at whatever cost."

Moynihan was truly a servant of the game and, more specifically, a servant of the green and gold. In his 14-year career he played with unfailing commitment and a fearless heart. In a county where footballing heroes are in plentiful supply, Moynihan's selflessness and honesty, on and off the field of play, has earned him a special place in the hearts and minds of Kerry people.

He leaves behind a medley of memories in the minds of gaelic football supporters everywhere. Snapshots of masterful interceptions, courageous blocks and the sight of him bursting out of a gaggle of players, the ball clutched safely to his chest, will live long in our memories.

Heroic servant of the game? Absolutely, but also lord of all he surveyed from the 40yard line.

Mairead O'Mahony, Ballylongford, Co Kerry.