Madam, - I have always found it curious that, when it suits them, Sikhs quite readily abandon the large familiar turban in favour of the small head covering as worn by sports stars in hockey and cricket.
The current English spinner Monty Panesar (born Mudhsuden Singh Panesar) is a case in point. The welcome addition of a Sikh to the Garda Reserve could surely be accommodated if he wore the small turban which would readily fit under a Garda cap.
On the related issue of the Taoiseach's display of ashes on Ash Wednesday, I note that the quantity seems to increase annually and I look forward to his eventual adoption of the sackcloth to complete the picture. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN, Ballyraine Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
Madam, - This island has a long history whereby religious considerations have coloured both the behaviour of and public attitudes to police forces.
For the first time in our history it can be said that all policing on this island has begun to move away from perceptions of religious bias, and as a direct consequence of this, from political controversy.
The justice system, and by extension the entire police force, must be perceived as, as well as being, impartial. Maintaining religious and political neutrality should be a fundamental consideration in all policing matters, particularly so in matters of symbolism.
It would be an extraordinarily regressive step not to learn from past lessons of Irish history by allowing the perception of religious impartiality of the State's police force to be compromised.
When a member of An Garda Síochána carries out his or her duty, it is essential that only symbols relating to that duty are on display.
If a police uniform is altered to make it representative of any one religion, then the religious neutrality of the force is diminished as a consequence.
It is imperative that the State continues to ensure that An Garda Síochána remains detached from and impartial to all religious and political considerations. Religion and policing make poor bedfellows. - Yours, etc,
PROINSIAS Mac FHEARGHUSA An Uaimh, Co na Mí.
Madam, - Anthony Owens's letter (August 24th) refreshingly clarifies the muddied waters. People who support visible display of a particular religion by a member of the Garda Síochána, appear to me confusing private matters with official function. Following the arguments and applying logic: if I am stopped by a garda to give me a speeding ticket, can I insist that I will only deal with a garda of my religious group? Or worse, can I refuse to interact with a garda whose (visibly) religious affiliation I resent? As for Tadhg McGrath of Shell to Sea, I look forward to the day he is arrested by a garda in a burqa. - Yours, etc,
MONICA MULLER, Rossport, Ballina, Co Mayo.