Sir, - I found John Waters's views on Northern Ireland (Opinion, September 14th) to be balanced, relevant and basically accurate. While respecting John Taylor's right to hold and express a contrary opinion I disagree in the main with the contents of his letter (September 17th), and firmly believe that the hallmark of a quality newspaper is its willingness to publish all viewpoints from whatever sources.
My knowledge of the Northern Ireland situation is based on nine years' service in the RUC in the ranks of constable and sergeant, plus extensive experience of doing duty and residing in Catholic/nationalist areas.
The following are some examples of what I experienced -
1. I was driven out of the RUC as a result of the ignorance, bigotry and distrust of one immediate superior officer, who distrusted me because I could not be relied upon to do my duty otherwise than in accordance with my oath of office. I insisted on treating all citizens equally. Those of us who did were in a minority.
2. I served in Derry City (Waterside) for three years. The population then was about 60,000 - 40,000 nationalists/Catholics and 20,000 unionists/Protestants. Despite being in a minority of 2 to 1, the unionists controlled the city council absolutely by "gerrymandering" the electorate. RUC officers were regularly called to city council meetings in the Guildhall to eject objecting nationalist councillors, often with undue force.
Nationalist marches on St Patrick's Day and at Easter were banned totally from the city centre and allowed only within the confines of the Catholic Bogside. Orangemen, Blackmen and Apprentice Boys could march where they liked.
3. As a sergeant I once stopped an Orange band which had left its legally authorised route in breach of the Public Order Act 1953 and was deliberately approaching a number of Catholic houses. For three weeks a senior officer tried to make me apologise to the master of the lodge, which I refused to do. Eventually in my office one afternoon he lost his temper and roared out: "Sgt Scott, you can stop a Catholic band any time you like but don't you ever stop a Protestant band again." I assaulted him. This was my catylist.
4. The Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Acts were constantly enforced by the "B" Specials, over whom the local RUC had no control. Their main expertise was the fact that they were local and knew who was and who was not a nationalist/Catholic. I had regular complaints from local priests about obscene abuse from "B" Special patrols, including threats to shoot them. There was no action I could take in such matters.
5. In my area Catholic houses were searched indiscriminately at all hours of the day and night, residents, including old folk, abused, and property damaged - photographs of the Pope, family nuns, priests, etc.
6. A senior officer visited my station and informed me verbally that, as the local sergeant, I would not in future refuse any application for a firearms certificate from a Protestant. All such applications were henceforth to be sent to district headquarters. When I asked about applications from Catholics he replied: "Oh, don't worry about them. Do the usual."
Subsequently, without my knowledge, a firearms certificate was granted to a local poor Protestant farmer for a .38 revolver on the grounds that he regularly carried large sums of money. Every man in the station laughed when he heard this; the man hadn't "tuppence." I had numerous complaints later about him using this gun to threaten local Catholic youths. Again I could do nothing.
7. Two local "B" Specials who knew me well stopped me in my car outside my own station, put a cocked Sten gun to the side of my head and searched the car, finding nothing. I complained to their commandant but got no redress.
8. One morning an English army officer with a troop of men arrived at my station carrying a list of local Catholic farmers who held firearms certificates for shotguns (which they needed) and .22 rifles. I was directed by district HQ to accompany them to make sure they did not go to any Protestant farms. All the guns were seized from RC farmers. This was the last duty I performed before transferring to the London Metropolitan Police, a move I never regretted.
I could go on and on and on.
It is clear from Mr Taylor's letter that he never resided anywhere in NI except in the loyalist/Orange/Protestant areas. Had he done so I doubt if he could have written such an inaccurate diatribe on the joys and righteousness of unionists and unionism. Some wise man once said; "There are none so blind as those who do not want to see."
The Rev Ian Paisley is one unionist politician for whom I have a great deal of respect. There is no "side" to the man and he speaks his mind openly and honestly. Would that his contemporaries could bring themselves to likewise.-Yours, etc.,
W. G. A. Scott, Friars Hill, Wicklow.