DAVID JUDGE,
Sir, - I am writing on behalf of the Irish-Chinese Cultural Society to add our voice to that of others about the dreadful killing of the Chinese student Mr Zhao LiuTao. Firstly, we would like to express our heartfelt sympathy with his parents and family, who must be feeling indescribable grief that this young life of great promise has been extinguished in such a brutal, senseless and shameful way.
All our members share a respect for the great and enduring civilisation and culture of China. Many have close contacts with people of the Chinese community in Ireland, long-term or transient. It is a safe generalisation to say that this is an outstanding community - a credit to that civilisation, and a group that Ireland is fortunate to have in its midst. To them we express our shock and outrage that such a thing could happen to one of their number, and our belief that these feelings are shared by virtually everyone in the whole country.
Most people find it impossible even to try to understand the mind processes that lead to such a deed. But, difficult though it is, the effort will have to be made. It is important to collate complaints and surveys to get an accurate picture of the problem, so that all possible steps are taken to deal with it early. Already this tragedy, widely reported in China, has done untold damage to Ireland's reputation for safety, let alone hospitality and tolerance. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID JUDGE,
Vice-president,
Irish-Chinese Cultural Society,
Palmerston Gardens,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - It is not so long ago, when the Chinese premier was visiting Ireland, that many Irish people were demonstrating for human rights in China.
Yet only last week a young Chinese student was battered to death with an iron bar in Dublin, in what appears to have been a racially motivated attack. Where were his human rights when he was attacked?, I would like to know. - Yours, etc.,
JOSEPH MURRAY,
Pembroke Road,
Dublin 4.
