Sir, - I was disappointed to learn of the Orange Order's decision to abandon its plan for a march in Dublin May 28th. According to Ian Cox, spokesperson for the Order in Dublin, intimidation lack of political support and intimidation caused the cancellation.
I fail to see how opponents of this march can view their activities as a step forward for the peace process in this country. The message sent to Orangemen is that they are not welcome to profess an aspect of their culture in Dublin city. Do readers of this letter support such an intolerant view of minority activities? I question the courage of our political leaders who at first supported this idea and then backed down in the face of criticism from what I took to be old-school Irish society. Does present-day Irish society feel threatened by a group of Protestant men, mostly Irish citizens, walking down a street in our capital city? I fail to see how Ireland can claim to be a pluralist and secular society and yet let a minority group be intimidated out of practising an aspect of its culture.
I acknowledge that many people in the North are intimidated by Orange marches through their areas, but I still fail to see how an Orange march in Dublin can be viewed as intimidation of Catholics in Ireland.
With all the furore over refugees, I suggest that just as charity begins at home, so too should tolerance. - Yours, etc.,
Tadhg O'Shea, University of Limerick.