Madam, - What bad times for Irish democracy with the Northern elections producing a result that strengthens the politics of extremism and deepens the polarisation of the nationalist and loyalist communities, with the virtual abandonment of the middle ground; particularly on the loyalist side.
I can hardly believe that, in today's modern Europe, a separated part of our community has voted for two base bigoted parties in such large numbers.
How could nationalists vote for a party with links to a large armed terrorist organisation whose motives are partly political but increasingly criminal?
It is easy for we Southerners to forget the injustice that bred nationalist activism, but it is also easy for potential Sinn Fein voters to forget the appalling crimes the Provisional movement has committed and the total duplicity it endeavoured to exercise until the recent debacles of the bank heist and the McCartney killing. And still Northern nationalists voted for them. My incomprehension runs deep. - Yours, etc,
CYNTHIA CARROLL, Newport, Co Tipperary.
Madam, - On this special day as I write (May 8th), I would remind David Trimble that he, together with John Hume, saved Ulster as Winston Churchill saved Europe. Churchill was voted out of office for his pains. - Yours, etc,
SÉAMUS O'FRIEL, Currabinny, Carrigaline, Co Cork.
Madam, - Will David Trimble have to be House-trained before he goes to the House of Lords? - Yours etc,
PADDY QUINLIVAN, Pairc De Valera, Limerick.