A chara, - The reaction to the Canary Wharf bomb was one of huge protest within the Republic, where people took to wearing white ribbons and holding vigils (sometimes in places where bullets had not been fired since 1922) so that the paramilitaries would "give us back our peace".
Citizens of the Republic need to understand that peace cannot exist in a situation where there is blatant injustice and where there is an overt threat of violence like that witnessed recently during the Drumcree march. The Apprentice Boys' march planned for August 10th is a threat to the peace of beleaguered Northern nationalists, as those who reside in the Bogside know only too well from their experiences of such a sectarian display last year - when, incidentally, during the ceasefire, the RUC fired over 100 rounds of plastic bullets into a nationalist crowd which protested peacefully.
If people within the Republic are genuine in their desire for peace, they therefore must confront such naked sectarianism and injustice. Perhaps they ought to show some solidarity with Northern nationalists and join with residents of the Bogside on August 10th in peaceful protest.
Is mise, le meas.
Casement Square,
Cobh,
Co Cork.