Sir, Since I am of Ulster Presbyterian background, I was particularly distressed to read that the "punishment" assault on the Rev. David Templeton had led to his death. Whatever Mr Templeton's sexual orientation may have been, or the discovery of pornographic videos in his house, there can be no excuse for such an attack. Your report states that this was carried out by three masked men who wielded "cudgels studded with nails". On whose authority?
Offenders in Northern Ireland ought to face the lawfully established RUC and the courts, whether they are Presbyterian clergymen, Catholic priests, atheists or agnostics. They should not be "tried" and found guilty by self appointed moralists.
I hope that my fellow Protestants, North and South, will not stand aside and say that such beatings are none of their business.
We know what happened not so, long ago in Germany and Austria, when "good citizens" minded their own business. - Yours, etc.,
Sandymount,
Dublin, 4.