Sir, - I cannot imagine a more fitting apology for President Robinson's behaviour towards the Pope than Mr Grant's vulgar and insulting piece of gallantry (April 1st). How admirably this toady represents the mind of our President! How eloquently he gives the lie to her official disclaimers! Mrs Robinson is suitably vindicated by her champion!
It is inescapably evident, however, to those of us less sycophantic, that everything possible was calculated in the President's trip to Rome for maximum slur and provocation against the Church and her visible head.
I have been a lifelong opponent of Mary Robinson and her politics (for she is a politician): yet I had always respected her much advertised intelligence. It was not until I saw photographs of her with the Pope, bedizened in Kelly green, showy jewellery and - to boot! - a sprig of vegetation, that I realised what the President of Ireland truly is cheap. - Yours, etc.,
Pontifico Collegio Irlandese, Via dei Santi,
Roma.