Madam, - The brutal and savage killing of 15-year-old schoolboy Michael McIlveen at the weekend is yet another sad and tragic example of the sectarianism that still exists on the streets of Northern Ireland.
One would have thought that Thomas Devlin, murdered on Somerton Road, North Belfast, last year, would have been the last victim of sectarianism. Sadly, there is still an element who feel that they have the moral right to attack a young person because of his or her religious background.
Until all communities in Northern Ireland, irrespective of their political, religious or other opinions, send out a clear message to the people who still believe they can attack, injure and murder people in the name of sectarianism, that this is no longer acceptable to society, then the perpetrators of evil will continue.
Society as a whole must root out the evil scourge that remains embedded in so many people who are still today in peacetime unable to grasp and respect each other's cultural, political and religious differences, and who instead choose to attack someone simply because of their religious background.
It is up to everyone in Northern Ireland, including all politicians, civil and community leaders, who believe in a fair, just, and equal society that is respectful and mindful to all classes and creeds of people to stand up and condemn such murders and to ask people within their own communities to respect each other and to move away for deep divisions of the past.
If people are to live in a peaceful society free from further sectarianism then those people responsible for the horrific attack and murder of Michael McIlveen should be sent a clear message from right-thinking people across all divides, that sectarianism is to be condemned and will be no longer be tolerated. - Yours, etc,
PATRICK CLARKE,
Newcastle,
Co Down
Madam, - Following the recent shocking death of Michael McIlveen , and the ecumenical service carried out on Easter Sunday in Drogheda, it seems to me that it is time for the leaders of all the Christian churches to stand up and admit there is no difference between Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox or any other flavour of human being who professes to be a Christian.
It is time for them to say, loudly and repeatedly, that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God, no matter how they choose to express their belief.
It is time for them to go into every house in Northern Ireland and tell the children, brought up by parents to believe those who attend a different church are in some way different from them, that this is the biggest lie they will ever be told.
Does any one out there, cleric or layman, really believe in their heart of hearts that God the Father, Son or Holy Ghost, Creator of all things seen and unseen, cares whether we humans believe the host is or isn't the body of Christ when we take communion? Or whether Mary was a virgin when she conceived? Or any of the thousand other things that theologians argue over, that one believes and the other decries as heresy?
The only thing that has ever mattered in Christianity is that we human beings treat each other with love and kindness and understanding, and rejoice in our infinite variety, rather than killing each other over it. - Is mise le meas,
RACHEL CAVE
Knocknacarra Park,
Galway.
Madam - I was sickened today at the news of the young boy been beaten to death by a gang in Ballymena. Words fail me to describe the disappointment and utter disgrace I feel. It is easier to dismiss these people as a gang of animals but that is an insult to the beast.
How could someone do this to another human, how? I hope they will face the full rigours of the law, all others types of justice are just too lenient.
My thoughts and deepest sympathy to the family and shame on the parents of the thugs responsible.
This hatred and intolerance has to come from somewhere - why not look in the mirror or the tattoos on your arms perhaps?
Shame on you, utter shame. You make me sick to my core to have come from the same place. - Yours, etc,
EOIN O'KANE
Cabinteely
Dublin.