Sir, - While I can hardly fault The Irish Times for its continued reporting of the debate on asylum-seekers, I feel I must question the inclusion of Aine Ni Chonaill's hateful diatribes on the matter (April 26th).
Surely we know by now how she feels about immigrants, in particular Nigerians. One might say she's obsessed by them. I had the dubious pleasure of interviewing Ms Ni Chonaill several years ago and even then she was alarmed and alarmist about the prospect of Dublin becoming like "downtown Lagos". She cited Brixton as an example of her fears, although she admitted she'd "never been there". Also coming under fire from her wrath were the media and "middle class-intellectuals". The interview, on Anna Livia's Evening Edition programme, ended with Ms Ni Chonaill's concerns that the media and intellectuals were confusing the "working-class people of Tallaght", among others, in regard to the asylum-seekers' situation.
She lambasted us for using confusing language, seemingly implying that said people of Tallaght didn't have the faculties available to make their own minds up. Thank heavens Ms Ni Chonaill is there, like a shining beacon of light, to guide them all.
I would urge her to give up the misguided and misinformed politics she has thrown herself into with such gusto and travel the world, make some friends and experience different cultures. In short, get out more. - Is mise,
Jeremy Moorehead, London SW19.