Sir, – I read your report "Theft of statue in Co Derry could be linked to fanatical religion" (January 22nd) and its reference to the "mythological god" of the sea Manannán mac Lir and was left with some confusion. I trust The Irish Times has ample evidence in its possession to differentiate Manannán as a "mythological god" from the other less mythological gods, and particularly those featured in the "Rite & Reason" section of the newspaper. This evidence should be published in full immediately. One would not wish to be led astray and miss out on one's possible eternal reward simply due to lack of support in a national newspaper for what may turn out to be the correct god.
In the meantime, we atheists shall look at Manannán with equal bemusement as we regard all other unsubstantiated deities. – Yours, etc,
EOIN KIRWAN,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.