Madam, - Dr J.E. Hazlett Lynch of the West Tyrone Voice, (a "victims' organisation"), highlights the sense of insecurity of the Protestant unionists/loyalists of Northern Ireland and their lack of trust in the British Government (December 28th)
If all the children of the nation are to be cherished equally in accordance the resolve expressed in the 1916 Proclamation, then serious and sympathetic attention must be paid to their plight.
A start would be made if the Irish Government were to set up a competent group or individuals to enquire into and decide on the essential meaning of the national flag; and with particular reference to the place of the Protestant unionist/loyalist people during any "struggle" to re-establish the Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916. (With the co-operation of the British Government a 32-county plebiscite could confirm the result ).
After all, the Tricolour, in its white strip, calls for "a lasting truce between Orange and the Green". And shortly after it was presented to Ireland, the Young Ireland leader, Smith O'Brien, dedicated it as "a sign that the Protestants of the north and the Catholics of the south will unite in demanding the legislative independence of their country".
Does that not call for a union of hearts and minds? To wage "love", not war? Was this substitution of moral for physical force not foretold when Pearse told his courtmartial, "If our deed has not been sufficient to win freedom, then our children will win it by a better deed"? - Yours, etc.,
JAMES McGEEVER, Kingscourt, Co Cavan.