Sir, - Ruth Dudley Edwards writes "In 1994 there was no trouble over a seven-minute parade from Drumcree church." She implies that, until then, local residents had no problem with Orange parades and that the controversy over parading was subsequently manufactured ("Prejudices and ignorance barrier to understanding Northern Protestants", Opinion, June 29th). I was living on the Garvaghy Road at that time and her version of the story, repeated on RTE and BBC recently, is quite incorrect.
The Orangemen parading from Drumcree that year were separated from the Nationalist community by a line of police vehicles, bumper to bumper the length of the Garvaghy Road; there was saturation army presence in the area; and residents of Churchill Park, where I lived, were hemmed in by police patrolling with dogs. This seriously compromised the dignity of the nationalist community.
The night before the parade there were five hours of rioting on the Garvaghy Road, which I strongly condemn, during which several petrol bombs were thrown at police. The above facts are available to any historian or journalist. The occasion is etched on my memory: when I attempted to intervene in the riot, I had a petrol bomb thrown in my direction to warn me off.
I disagree with Ruth Dudley Edwards's concluding argument where she suggests that tolerance is the required virtue for the situation. Dignity is a core value in human relations. Tolerance is a virtue only in the context of a relationship where respect for that dignity is present or is being achieved. Tolerance of violence and injustice is a vice. I believe that many Orangemen have been far too tolerant of the violent consequences of their action at Drumcree.
Ms Dudley Edwards's presentation of the 1994 Drumcree parade distorts facts that are still relevant to the dignity debate. Everyone ought to be treated with dignity. Meeting people and acknowledging them is the road to dignity. Nationalist and unionist alike have to be open to change resulting from such a meeting. Ruth Dudley Edwards could make a real step toward affirming the dignity of the people of the Garvaghy Road if she would accept the invitation to meet local people, extended to her in April, 1996. - Yours, etc., Rev Eamon Stack, SJ,
Leinster Road, Dublin 6.