Sir, - The decision by Donegal Celtic not to honour its soccer fixture with the RUC is a matter for the club members themselves. However, it does demonstrate to the rest of the community that there is a fascist element among the republican community in Belfast who are prepared to "lean" on people and organisations who do not bend to their will.
It is undeniable that large sections of the community have suffered at the hands of the RUC and it would appear desirable that the police force should be rearranged to facilitate community policing. Mr Patten is exploring this possibility; whether he succeeds in satisfying all remains to be seen. However, it must be recognised that, under more enlightened control from recent chief constables and intelligent political leadership, considerable advances have been made in the force.
The decision by Gerry Adams not to meet the Chief Constable, allied to the pressure exerted on an innocent sports club, is an obvious attempt to further alienate the republican and nationalist community from the RUC during Mr Patten's deliberations.
While acknowledging the right of Sinn Fein leaders to speak for those who voted for them, it should be remembered by all democrats, both "old hands" and "new recruits", that the essence of democracy is to be able to act within the confines of the law even if that decision is diametrically opposed to your own.
So never mind using a sporting fixture to play politics, where is the Christianity in it all? - Yours, etc., Peter Seaver,
Outrath, Kilkenny.