Madam, - Tom Cooper's statement (August 7th) that Lt Paddy Bury of the Royal Irish Rangers is not an "Irish soldier" again exposes the dysfunctional myopia of the so-called republican attitude.
It was classically exposed when the Irish rugby team played England in Croke Park last year, and a youth stood outside holding a placard saying "no foreign games" while wearing a Celtic soccer shirt. It is seen also in the denial of Ireland's imperial role in the "British" empire of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The British army is the army of our nearest neighbour, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As such it contains Scottish, Welsh, English and, yes, Irish soldiers. The island of Ireland is divided between two friendly EU countries, democratically agreed by the Irish people living in both countries. It's time to move on. - Yours, etc,
SEAN O'BYRNE,
Aranleigh Court,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
Madam, - Lt Paddy Bury serves in one of the main Irish regiments that make up the British army. He continues a long and proud history of Irishmen serving in the that army.
It is sad that Tom Cooper cannot see past his own revisionism on the subject. The Royal Irish Regiment is uniquely Irish in background and culture, as are the Irish Guards - in much the same way that Welsh and Scots regiments retain those unique characteristics that celebrate their differences while allowing them to be part of the greater family within the British army.
I do not see the British army as an occupying force, nor do I object to Irishmen serving in it. I am proud to have served in the Royal Engineers and I enjoy Lt Bury's articles.
Mr Cooper would do well to remember that less than 70 years ago Irishmen fought fascism to give him the right to an opinion and that certain elements on this island engaged in acts of terrorism to deny the majority the freedoms they wished to enjoy.
The well-attended Royal British Legion ceremonies at Islandbridge continue to do honour to all those Irish men and women who saw service in the colours. Our thoughts should be with the RIR and Irish Guards as they continue to aid the fight for democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. - Yours, etc,
DEREK REID,
Macroom Road,
Coolock,
Dublin 17.