Antrim school besieged

A Chairde,


I am a mother of two children attending St Malachy's and I remain highly grateful to those parents who were courageous enough to organise a public meeting concerning the continuing presence of the Ulster Young Militants at this school. I feel equally indebted to An Phoblacht for its exposure of this longstanding affair.

However, I am deeply disgusted by the second rate treatment our concerns about the safety of our children has received from all those other local political parties and the school authorities, who were all formally invited to the St Malachy's parents' public meeting but failed to attend.

I wish to express my profound thanks on behalf of my family to the only political representative who bothered to attend, Sinn Féin's Martin McManus. But I remain very saddened by the school authorities' failure to attend this meeting because of "pressing prior commitments". I would like to know what possible "pressing prior commitments" can be more "pressing" than sending one school representative to a parents' meeting concerning the safety of their school pupils, who are constantly under threat from a small group of loyalists who purport to represent the UDA?

I have witnessed at first hand on numerous occasions the loyalist abuse at the school and while it must be acknowledged that only a small number of loyalist/unionist bigots are involved, it must also be acknowledged that it is the same few loyalist bigots who can be seen roaming at night causing mayhem in the Stiles area in Antrim. It is widely believed by nationalists and unionists that it is this same small group of loyalist thugs that are responsible for a recent bonfire blaze in the Ballycraigy area.

These loyalist thugs continually claim to be the UYM (the youth wing of the UDA). If they are not authorised or orchestrated by the UDA, then it is clear that this small group of loyalists thugs are out of control, even within the unionist community - who are also suffering intimidation and threats from them.

It is time for some honest answers and sincere dialogue for the sake of all of our children. It is time that these loyalist thugs in Antrim were stopped. I would implore those of you that can stop it, to do it now before somebody's child is seriously hurt or killed


Worried St Malachy's parent
Antrim Town


PS. Please withhold my name and address because I fear reprisals from loyalists

Garda equiment

A Chairde,


Any proposal to give the Gardaí new equipment, without at the same time instituting reforms in training, including human rights training, and oversight through an ombudsperson will exacerbate the separation of policing from the public.

In addition, garda reform necessitates decentralisation of command structures, statutory reporting to local authority police oversight committees and depoliticisation of methods of appointment.

After the police riot in Dublin on May Day, the public will look with dismay at the issuing of a telescopic baton which, its proponent says, if it "were to be swung with wild abandon, striking the head, neck or other vulnerable areas, the resultant injuries would be devastating, even fatal". (Ian Doyle, Irish Times 27 May).

Since this letter is coming from a Sinn Féin representative, it will undoubtedly evoke a knee-jerk reaction. In am sure, however, that there are many (including in the gardaí) who will see the dangers inherent in Ian Doyle's simplistic solution to real policing problems, more and better weaponry which can cause fatality, devastating injuries or "permanent eye damage". The police need to earn the trust of the community through action in the community, not reaction on the streets.


Cllr Nicky Kehoe,
Sinn Féin,
Fassaugh Avenue,
Dublin 7

Building an alliance of the Left

A Chairde,


The election of five Sinn Féin TDs to Leinster House was excellent, but the most significant aspect of the recent result was the sharp rise in the share of the vote, now the fourth largest in the state, and its geographical spread. This shows the real impact and influence that republicans are having in the struggle of working class communities throughout the 26 Counties.

The tasks for republicans in the immediate future are clear. The most right-wing government in western Europe has just been reelected here on a manifesto promising more of the same. The plight of the unemployed, the low paid, the elderly, the sick, the homeless, and the refugees, completely ignored by Bertie Ahern's reactionaries, will simply get worse.

Consistent involvement in the struggles of these groups outside Leinster House and the building of a progressive left opposition against Ahern and his Thatcherites inside it should be the watchword of the day for all Irish republicans.


Conor Magill,
Galway

All-Ireland victory

A Chairde,


Congratulations to our TDs and all who took part in the elections. Truly a job well done. Interesting to hear those who would try to dismiss the vote.

For the SDLP not to stand in All-Ireland elections is an insult to their nationalist vote. Hopefully Mark Durkan is trying to change this.

Another small victory for Sinn Féin over the unionists who continue to say they are British but they do not stand for all elections in England, Scotland or Wales. Perhaps they could explain the reasons for this to their voters.

Sinn Féin as an All-Ireland party is naturally standing in All Ireland elections. It is a pity other parties with different or possibly the same agendas could not do the same.


Councillor Michael Henry McIvor
Ballinderry Sinn Féin

Mistreatment of Tricolour

A Chairde,


As there is no legislation concerning the treatment of the National Flag, it appears that it is left to the citizens of this country to police the mistreatment of the green, the white and the orange especially when football fever seems to be an excuse for certain multi-nationals to hi-jack the Tri-colour for their own advertisement purposes. Coca-cola appear to have a vested interest in how Ireland perform in the World Cup and thus have hung a huge Irish flag outside their HQ in Lower Baggot Street. Unfortunately they have emblazoned the words GOOD LUCK IRELAND across the banner. The famous Coke logo also partly obliterates the right hand corner, or green part, of the flag.

In the publication, An Bhratach Náisiúnta, it is clearly stated in Article 17 that the "National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events."

I registered my objections to the flag being used in this manner and politely explained that the men and women who fought and died were essentially being disrespected by this disgraceful mutilation. Coca-cola currently refuse to remove their offensive banner and were quite amused that I should find anything particularly incorrect about their "support for the Irish soccer squad."

I urge anyone who feels the way I do to boycott Coke products and make their feelings known by telephoning the company and lodging a complaint. If enough negative publicity ensues perhaps respect for the flag will be observed by all.


Lorcan Collins,
Upper Fitzwilliam Street,
Dublin 2
http://www.1916rising.com