Letter to the Taoiseach

BY BARRY McELDUFF



Plunkett Nugent from Galbally rang me last Saturday afternoon as I made my way to Croke Park for the All Ireland Intermediate and Junior Club Football Finals.  Plunkett emphasised the importance of putting aside ancient enmities and he spoke of the great need for reconciliation and healing in a new era.
He was referring to the fact that a team from Tyrone and a team from County Derry were playing against Kerry opposition and he was hoping that Tyrone and Derry could unite for once in the interests of the greater good.
Essentially, what I am saying Taoiseach, is that Greencastle supporters were being encouraged to support Coleraine in the second game.  You probably know the outcome by now.  Greencastle took the Junior Cup which doesn’t have a name up the road with them after a brilliant display against Duagh.  Not such good news for Coleraine.  The Ferris’s have a lot to answer for, including depriving Coleraine of All Ireland glory.  Comhghairdeas to Greencastle and Ardfert both.
Taoiseach, I have been to Croke Park, like yourself, on many big occasions.  This one was really special and I take my hat off to Damien O’Hagan who played a stormer at corner back for Greencastle.  I am sure that Damien’s mother, Kathleen (killed by the UVF in their family home) and his father, Patrick as well as his brother Thomas were smiling down on Damien with huge pride when he made those crucial interventions at the edge of the square.  Greencastle are now All Ireland Champions just like Ardfert and the great Association reminds us once again of the oneness of Ireland.
Forgive me for jumping to another point which does not bear any great relevance to what has gone before.  Kenny Donaldson is a young member of the Ulster Unionist Party who contested the Fermanagh/South Tyrone Constituency, last week.  But Kenny had his moment at Omagh Leisure Centre where the Count was taking place.  As you know, after Sinn Féin, the DUP had cause for celebration.  Kenny knew this and spotted a few DUP supporters preparing to unfurl the Union Jack.  
“If your going to fly the Union Flag, at least have the decency to turn it the proper way round,”  requested young Donaldson.  Anything to Jeffrey?  I don’t know but I’ll get back to you on that one, Bertie.  You should have seen the look on Arlene Foster’s face as she ran after Kenny to reprimand him for embarrassing them in front of republicans.  
I didn’t know there was a right way or a wrong way to fly the Union Jack.  I know it should be flown in it’s own country but it is interesting to hear another perspective.  
On Monday of this week, I drove up to Stormont parliament buildings to help open a new chapter in our shared future.  I drove up the Prince of Wales Avenue, otherwise known as the Royal Mile.  Up past Carson’s Statue and him giving the two-fingered salute to all of us.  Above the building flew not one but two English flags.  If you were to operate on the basis of additionality rather than substitution, you would think that the Irish national flag should fly on at least one of those two poles.  I mentioned this once to a rather unreceptive Michael Mates who wanted to see the IRA put it’s weapons beyond use.  I am still waiting on the Irish national flag to fly over Stormont parliament buildings.

 
Is mise le meas
Barry McElduff


NB: Bertie Ahern can be contacted on (00 353) 1 619 4020 or e-mail [email protected].  Address: Office of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Dublin 2.