A Chara, - The postponement of the Dublin Orange march has been attributed to the demonisation and intimidation of Orange brethren and the inability of Irish men and women to support the rights of Protestant citizens to celebrate their "heritage".
Some questions arise for those promoting this line of argument: Are we to take it that those who identify, challenge and reject the sectarianism of the Orange Order (many through the Letters page of this newspaper) are guilty of demonisation? Are we to understand that citizens who raise their voices against any civic endorsement of a virulently anti-Roman Catholic organisation are guilty of intimidation? Are we to accept that Protestantism and the Orange Order are one and the same thing, and that Protestant citizens regard sectarianism as the cornerstone of their "heritage"?
Those who berate the Irish people for our lack of tolerance, political maturity and inclusiveness ask us to accept and celebrate sectarianism - an intolerant, politically delinquent and exclusive position - as given in Irish life. Those of us who recognise the right of Orangemen to walk a non-contentious route along the citizens' highway, but who refuse to welcome or endorse their divisive and dangerous ideology, know nothing about pluralism... or so we're told. - Is mise,
Mary Lou McDonald, Castleknock, Dublin 15.