Sir, – The torrent of invective directed at President Michael D Higgins by anti-water charges protesters in Finglas last Thursday was nothing short of disgraceful; an act of wanton stupidity that has done untold damage to their albeit quite legitimate cause.
How could they possibly justify the abuse meted out to this essentially apolitical head of state?
Irish Water must be having a field day! – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I deplore the abuse hurled at President Michael D Higgins, but cannot agree with Noel Whelan (Opinion & Analysis, January 3rd) that it "represents a new low".
Perhaps the social standing of the abusers is not quite as exalted as those whose abuse of President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh induced his resignation from the presidency in order to uphold the dignity of Ireland’s highest office.
I realise that much water has flowed under the bridge since the Ó Dálaigh resignation, but I’m sure many of your readers can remember the squalid behaviour of the then government. – Yours, etc,
DONAL KENNEDY,
Palmers Green,
London.
Sir, – If only the water protesters had restricted themselves to calling the President a thundering disgrace, it would surely have been acceptable to the governing parties. – Yours, etc,
KEN DONNELLY,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.