A chara - Full marks to Pol O Muiri and Jim Cusack for their reports on ethnic cleansing (The Irish Times, July 3rd) in the North; but it needs to be stressed that the present phase of the operation dates from the 1960s, with hardly a pause.
Ethnic cleansing in Ulster, however, began with Chichester in 1603. According to his own words, "I burned all along the lough within four miles of Dungannon and killed 100 people, sparing none of what quality, age or sex soever, besides many burned to death. We kill man, woman and child. . ." (Viz. An Account of Sir Arthur Chichester, Fortesque, 1858; and History of the Family of Chichester, Chichester, 1871; as quoted by Breandan O Buachalla, I mBeal Feirste Cois Cuain, Baile Atha Cliath, 1968..
Chichester's example has inspired the "cleansing" in every generation since 1603 and, sadly, is allowed to continue to this day in British "governed" territory. The elderly among us will remember the systematic, highly organised gutting of Bombay Street, Belfast, in the 1960s, as well as the great restoration job organised by the Irish-speaking community of Shaw's Road, Belfast.
The more elderly still will remember, with me, remnants of the same "cleansing" operation in Dublin, in the 1930s, in notices of jobs available: "No Catholic need apply."
Alas, ethnic cleansing of a different kind is increasing apace against the Travellers' community in the 26 Counties, and particularly in the Dublin area. The Southside People reported recently that the situation of Travellers in the Dun Laoghaire area had reached "crisis point".
The most effective way of fighting these forms of sectarianism is to join in Amnesty International's great crusade for human rights (if we are unable to practise the Christian principle of loving one's neighbour). - Is mise,
Deasun Breatnach, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.