Sir, – Bernard O’Grady answers Prof de Londras’s criticism of his factual inaccuracies by pointing out that “letters to newspapers represent the opinions of the writer rather than those of the editor.” However true it is to say that The Irish Times does not endorse all opinions contained in its paper, it doesn’t change the fact that myth-making to support your opinions damages the integrity of the debate as a whole.
Printing letters with factual inaccuracies provides balance in the same way as using a motorbike wins you the Tour de France. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Bernard O’Grady (October 10th) appears to assert that factual inaccuracies in letters to newspapers can be disregarded as they represent the opinion of the writer. Mr O’Grady erroneously stated that same-sex couples can adopt under Irish civil partnership legislation, but it is a legal fact that they cannot. The Irish Statute Books are not opinion, they are fact. Mr O’Grady also states that the campaign for marriage equality is being “pushed by a liberal elite far removed from the everyday concerns of ordinary people”. The thousands upon thousands of people who have taken to the streets for the last four years on the March for Marriage would disagree. I imagine the 73 per cent (Red C poll) of the Irish public who are in favour of marriage equality would also disagree. – Yours, etc,