Sir, - Fr Martin Clarke, spokesman for the Irish Bishops' Conference, is reported as saying that the Irish Bishops (I presume he means the Roman Catholic variety), are certainly sympathetic to the return of Bishop Casey to Ireland. It is further stated that more than 80 per cent of the Irish people would welcome him home.
Where does this latter statistic come from? Do 80 per cent of the Irish people even care? Have the bishops taken any soundings? Have any Irish Times readers been asked? Are we now going to drift into yet another Aunt Sally fairground scene, courtesy of our betters?
Hacks, sharpen your pencils, here we go again. - Yours, etc., Peter D. Haden,
Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare.