Madam, - Heartiest congratulations to the pupils and staff of Palmerstown Community College and to all who gave leadership in the campaign to have the Nigerian student Olukunle Eluhanla returned home to Ireland. This campaign and the similar ones running in Athlone and Castleblaney show how much of a community schools are. Classmates sit beside these children in school, learn with them as equals and socialise with them inside and outside school. Is it any wonder, then, that these communities hurt so much when pupils are wrenched from them without warning or explanation?
I add my voice to those calling for a review of immigration and deportation policy. - Yours, etc.,
LUCY KEAVENEY, Killester, Ratoath, Co Meath.
A chara, - I wrote a letter of protest in Irish to An Taoiseach regarding the deportation of Olukunle Eluhanla. An acknowledgement arrived in English. Is there nobody in the office of An Taoiseach and leader of our government who can write a simple letter in Irish? If not, why not? If not, mo náire sibh.
In this case Minister for Justice Michael McDowell eventually made a compassionate decision. The anger over this deportation and over the worrying position of asylum-seekers in Athlone, Monaghan and elsewhere shows that there is a sizeable constituency in this country for a compassionate and generous, rather than a begrudging and legalistic, approach to immigration issues and practices.
Mar iarmhúinteoir, ba mhaith liom ardmholadh a thabhairt do chomhscoláirí Olukunle a sheas an fód go cróga ar a shon. Maith sibh. - Is mise,
SEÁN Ó RIAIN, Gairdíní Bhaile na Lobhar, Co Bhaile Átha Cliath.
A chara, - Michael McDowell admits he got it wrong. Now that is a record! - Is mise,
MAURICE QUINLIVAN, Stenson Close, Thomondgate, Limerick.