Sir, – I trusted that Friday’s front-page picture of the President speaking at Glasnevin on July 31st would lead to a full report within the paper of an event which was of monumental significance in every way within these islands. However, instead of showing any image of the Cross of Sacrifice, on your Home News page we saw the backsides of a tiny crew of protesters whose limited verbal taunts were reproduced faithfully in Peter Murtagh’s report. No mention was made of Dr Edward Madigan’s historical reflection, or of any words HRH the Duke of Kent spoke.
The excitement in your report comes from the noise and objections of as few as two protesters, rather than from the feeling of friendship and emotion from the hundreds, which, as someone down from the Wee North, I can personally report was history being made in the truest sense. The protesters have scored a victory in the way The Irish Times has given prominence to their objections. The plus is that in a liberal democracy the head of state and distinguished guests can be verbally abused by protesters when at an official function, broadcast live on national television. The minus is that in aiming to achieve balanced coverage of the event, your paper and its story headline favoured those outside the railings as much as those within. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS SPURR,
Ballygowan,
Co Down
Sir, – It seems that every day when I open my Irish Times I have to relive the first World War, from the murders in Sarajevo to the first volleys being fired. My wife says not to worry, it will be all over by Christmas. Yours, etc,
DENIS O’DONOGHUE,
Ardnapondra,
Co Westmeath