Madam, - I wish to express my disgust at Mr John Dillon, President of the Irish Farmers' Association whose sense of values has becomes so twisted that he has lent the support of his august and honourable organisation to the perpetrator of threatening and abusive behaviour, for which he was justifiably convicted.
Such incidents are causing massive damage to the good name of Irish farms and farming both in Ireland and in our main export markets abroad. Farmers' leaders should hold their heads in shame for giving support to thuggish behaviour.
The bigotry and hostility being stirred up by men such as "The Bull" McSharry are not based on reality. The reality is that there has not been a single case in the last 25 years of a hill-walker suing a farmer. Yet some farmers are threatening, not just the economy of rural Ireland and its future potential, but also the unique solidarity shown by people of all backgrounds to the farming community during the foot-and-mouth crisis. Is this to be the reward offered to the long-suffering Irish and European taxpayers who have been content until now to subsidise Irish farming? The growing cult of victimhood is based on a tissue of lies about the supposed threat posed by hill-walkers to farmers.
It is high time a farm organisation showed some leadership and vision and denounced the thuggish and criminal acts that are an affront to the traditions of decency and fair play that Irish farmers have stood for since the time of Michael Davitt. - Is mise,
MICHAEL GIBBONS, Westport Road, Clifden, Co Galway.