Madam, - President McAleese's first term in office was quite outstanding. However, in her second term she is showing flaws.
First of all, there was her statement at the time of the commemoration of Auschwitz which caused such offence to so many Protestants in the North.
Secondly, on Monday May 23rd you reported her as saying in Philadelphia that the time of her youth in the North was "a cold house for Catholics". She said she was quoting David Trimble, but should she not be looking to the future rather than raking up the past?
Last week in Seattle she made an unpardonable statement. She said the IRA was blocking all efforts for peace, which is correct. But she added that they should form themselves into "an old soldiers' club". The majority of the IRA are not "old" - but, more to the point - they are not "soldiers". They are murdering thugs.
As Commander-in-Chief of our Defence Forces the President should know better. - Yours, etc,
JAMES O'CONNOR,
Spawel Road,
Wexford.