PROINSIAS
Sir, - As a former president of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League), a former chairman of Bord na Gaeilge, and a civil rights activist in Ireland and elsewhere, I should like to protest against the outrageous dismissal of Tomás Ó Dúlaing as principal of Gaelscoil Thulach na Óg at Dunboyne, Co Meath.
Mr Ó Dúlaing was dismissed by the school board of management with the support and authority of An Foras Patrúnachta. This Foras is, apparently, funded by the Department of Education. Mr Ó Dúlaing's offence was to try to organise Gaelscoil Thulach na Óg on an inter-denominational basis as it was originally established.
What has been done may unfairly darken the good name of gaelscoileanna, and may also provide further evidence for those who suggest that Home Rule is still Rome rule. An exceptionally bad day's work has been done.
Those responsible may claim that sectarianism played no part in what they did. Such a claim was also made in 1931 when Miss Dunbar-Harrison was prevented from taking up her post as county librarian in Mayo, in 1951 when the Mother and Child Scheme was torpedoed, and in 1965 when John McGahern was dismissed from his school in Dublin.
To judge by the Dunboyne scandal, less progress has been made than was imagined. - Yours, etc.,
PROINSIAS MAC AONGHUSA, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Sir, It is particularly tragic that Tomás Ó Dulaing ,a man of such good character, sincerity and high princple, should be sacked from his job as principal of an interdenominational gaelscoil.
I'm sure the members of An Foras Patrúnachta are sincere people, but I question their diplomacy in handling the case. Admittedly, it is a very difficult job, but to let go a man who himself was so sincere in his beliefs, who loved teaching, and was dedicated to fostering the language, certainly is not wise. He was, in fact, the ideal person to be principal of that school.
These schools are so important to foster religious harmony in this country, both North and South, that it almost beyond belief that a dispute over the teaching of religion should be allowed to come to such a terrible end. This affair will have repercussions elsewhere in the country, and will cause unease in such establishments. It could jeopardise the whole idea of such schools.
I hope that, even at this late hour, good sense will prevail, and this good man will be restored to his proper place. - Yours, etc.,
CON O'KELLY, Kildare Town.
Sir, - The position of Mr Tomás Ó Dulaing and his supporters at the Dunboyne gaelscoil is difficult to understand. They seem to want to segregate Catholic and Protestant schoolchildren by insisting that those elements of religious instruction which involve issues of difference be taught outside school hours. Why should it be so difficult during religion classes to discuss such issues in ways that are loving and respectful of the teachings of both faith communities? - Yours, etc.,
DAVID IRBY, Dingle, Co Kerry.