Madam, - For over 40 years the Rev Ian Paisley has personally, and with his party the DUP, opposed every conciliatory move towards accommodating Catholics/nationalists into the political framework of the North. Right back to the 1960s, when Northern Ireland Prime Minister, Terence O'Neill, had the temerity to speak to the Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, Mr Paisley set about his downfall. Civil rights marchers were opposed by Paisley and others at a time when the IRA was moribund.
The intervening years have seen him proudly claim every moderate Unionist scalp for his intransigent backers. His colourful depictions of the Pope as "Old Red Socks" and the "Antichrist", while offering a chuckle to those comfortably far removed from the tension, have fanned the flames of sectarianism.
The DUP likes to share nothing with others, certainly not with nationalists, when that party takes control of councils; the exclusion of all other persuasions from Ballymena council committees is a clear indication to its followers that this is the attitude to adopt. What a contrast with Derry City Council where - despite years of Unionist gerrymandering - the SDLP and Sinn Féin rotate power with parties such as the DUP. (Surely a principled DUP stand would be to refuse these positions.)
And so, the Rev Paisley's commiserations last week with the family of Michael McIlveen ring very hollow indeed when the thugs involved were merely acting out a visceral response to decades of sectarian preaching.
More galling it is this party, the DUP, which allocates to itself the decision on devolved government in the North. It takes the high moral ground while averting its eyes from its dreadful contribution to the bloodshed.
We do not expect "sackcloth and ashes" from the DUP but would they spare us the crocodile tears and just get on with sharing power with their neighbours? A motto for all might be the Christian message: Let he without sin cast the first stone. - Yours, etc,
MIKE Mac DOMHNAILL, Caisleán Nua, Co Luimnigh.