Sir, - May I clear up, once and for all, the matter of the Huntsman's Hat? On St Stephen's Day, my son took part in a protest against hunting in Tramore. This protest was, as always, well conducted and orderly.
Before the hunt started, one of the huntsmen took off his own hat and proceeded to wave it as he bowed in mock obeisance to the group of demonstrators. Then, getting no response, he thrust it under the noses of the protesters in a most offensive and aggressive manner. My son then knocked it out of his hand.
The huntsman became petulant, claiming that his hat might have been damaged, his horse might have been frightened, and, if children had been there, they might have been injured.
The huntsman then went on his way, in savage pursuit of a fox. Before the matter reaches mythological proportions I just want to tell it as it happened. - Yours, etc.,
Cliff Road,
Tramore, Co Waterford.