Sir, Concerning Sonia O'Sullivan's decision not to carry the Irish flag at the Olympic opening ceremony, I feel it is appalling of the media to try again to make "something bad" out of the issue.
Miss O'Sullivan is without question one of Ireland's greatest ever athletics, whose career pinnacle must be to win at the Olympics this summer. She ought to have been approached privately with this invitation to carry the flag, and as a courtesy, her decision to decline should also have remained a private matter. Any attempt to distract Miss O'Sullivan from her prime objective can only be viewed as deplorable.
Go n-ein an t-adh lei. - Yours, etc.,
Leeson Walk, Northbrook Road, Dublin 6.