Madam, - In his Irishman's Diary of September 3rd, Kevin Myers refers to Father Sean Healy of CORI as representing "a handful of dog-collared or wimpled OAPs of almost no importance in modern Ireland".
As the brother of a Franciscan priest who for 35 years has given - and continues to give - his whole being to the welfare and development of the poorest people in the poorest regions of Central and South America, I find such remarks gratuitously offensive.
While Father Brendan Forde and his compatriot missionaries may have made "minimal financial contributions to the State", they have contributed much, much more to the dignity of their fellow man and in doing so, have cost this State nothing. In fact they have enhanced the reputation of Ireland wherever they have toiled.
Should they wish to return to this country to spend their autumn days, I would hope they will be enabled to do so in modest comfort.
On the other hand, if Mr Myers's opinions are even mildly representative of a wider view in "modern Ireland", they would probably prefer to stay where they are. - Yours, etc.,
DERMOT FORDE,
Moynalty,
Kells,
Co Meath.