Madam, - I read with interest Thomas Dion Russell's letter and the ensuing correspondence. I was in Trim myself this summer visiting a relative for the first time. As a Northern nationalist, I was appalled to see the imposing statue of Wellington towering over Trim. As a school principal, I realise the importance of protecting our heritage but I think that the influence which Wellington had was minimal in Ireland's history compared to the wealth of political and literary influence of many of my own countrymen!
One of your correspondents countered Mr Russell's assertion that Wellington opposed Catholic Emancipation but if he did, it was only a sop to save his own political scalp! In his own country of 19th century England, he opposed the Chartist movement which aimed to reform the electoral system - so much for equality!
I would suggest that the good people of Trim should have the opportunity to say whether they want to see such a pompous bigot each day on their horizon. - Yours, etc.,
ANN KEARNEY, Middlepark Road, Cushendall, Co Antrim.