Sir - After reading the letter from Mrs Ethna M. Cotter, Joseph M. Gill, Ita Little, Rita McGrane and Elizabeth Mahon (July 3rd) I was so annoyed that I had to force myself to calm down before writing this response. Quite clearly these people are out of touch with the times we live in. Was I a fool when I thought that Ireland was no longer the Catholic equivalent of Iran, a state tied closely to a certain religion? O'Connell Street is, one could say, the most important street in Ireland, our own Champs Elysees or Unter Den Linden. This is a street open to people of all religions (and those who do not have any). It is disrespectful to people of other religions and cultures to erect a statue of Christ on such a street.
Our society should be based on tolerance and erecting the proposed statue would fly directly in the face of people who are trying to build a stabler, more peaceful society not only here in the Republic but also in the North. Ireland will not treat Christians - and in particular Catholics - as first-class citizens and those of other religions as lesser people; and if it does, I would rather leave than be a citizen of such a nation. That certain people think this is acceptable disgusts me. - Yours, etc.,
Ronan Delaney, Carraroe, Co Galway.