JOHN ROBB,
Sir, - Tom Dane's letter of July 1st is a timely reminder of how some people must feel when they read the account of the conflict in the gaelscoil in Dunboyne.
The history of conflict between powerful religious influences in Ireland is not a happy one. Many of us born into the Protestant tradition would be willing to acknowledge that, in past times and over many generations, our tradition's attitude to Catholic Ireland was quite appalling. However, in recent times and because of the effect of our vicious sectarian civil war, there has been a more enlightened approach by churchmen and laity. Yet it must be obvious to any outside observer that improvement in this respect has still a long way to go.
Tom Dane wishes to see a "mixed system" of education implemented. He doesn't make it clear if he would distinguish between "mixed" and "integrated". There are a number of schools which could claim to have a mixed population but many fewer which could claim to be integrated.
The New Ireland Group would be concerned that an all-out campaign to bring about mixed secular education could risk a reaction which might stifle movement in the direction towards which Mr Dane points us. On the other hand, further support for and development of a truly integrated education, in accordance with the principles laid down by the integrated movement, could lead to much progress in this regard.
While denominational education is not the cause of our historical conflict, integrated education has most certainly a significant role to play in its resolution.
On July 1st, 86 years ago, Irishmen in the trenches of Flanders will not have been too concerned about the religion of their comrades. Tom Dane does us a service in raising this matter at this time and it is to be hoped that his letter will provoke renewed thought and further debate about the vexed issue of eliminating sectarianism from Ireland, both South and North. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN ROBB, New Ireland Group, Ballymoney, Co Antrim.