Sir, – Ireland has recently achieved the record number of leprechauns ever assembled in an attempt to confirm the “Irishness” of their description. I believe two other records probably exist. First, we surely have the highest percentage of foreign prisoners held in any European prison – Portlaoise, where over 60 per cent of the inmates are foreign nationals). Second, we must also have the highest potential number of indigenous white-collar criminals at large, some still in receipt of public monies.
We certainly are record breakers, but need we have roped the unfortunate leprechauns into the Irish family tree? It seems incongruous, as any gold they have is their own. – Yours, etc,