Sir, – It was with equal measure of disbelief and distaste that I turned to the back page of your sports supplement at the weekend (June 28th) to find that you had somehow managed to integrate a hugely sensitive issue such as abortion into your generally entertaining and informative “Hold the Back Page” column. Mary Hannigan has long been one of my favourite sports columnists but here, she, and your publication, stooped as low as you can go by, somehow, attempting to place some particular significance on the footwear of US Senator, Wendy Davis, during her filibuster address to prevent a bill restricting abortions in Texas.
What she was wearing on her feet had absolutely no relevance to the debate on hand and certainly should never have been used as the main feature piece – complete with imposing photograph of Senator Davis addressing the assembly in Austin – on, of all places, a sports page in The Irish Times. I would hope there was no sinister motive behind its inclusion; or must we now look forward to your sports columnists highlighting the brand of runners being worn during pro-life or pro-choice rallies? – Yours, etc,
PATRICK WALSH,
The Glebe,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.