Sir, - Your Saturday Profile of Prof Mary McAleese (September 13th) referred to "the glazed-over look" appearing on people's faces when she spoke about the North, after coming to Trinity College as Reid Professor of Criminal Law.
As a Galwegian living in Derry in 1980, I experienced a sense of alienation from the South; a feeling that those north of the Border were forgotten and diminished in the Irish psyche. Mary Robinson has helped to bridge that gap. More needs to be done, especially at this time in our island's history. Who more fitting than another Mary, this time a Northern Mary, to be our President? Prof McAleese has all the neccessary qualities, qualifications and insights to be our first citizen and a positive signal that we wish the legacy of Mary Robinson to continue. - Yours, etc.,
From Daniel McGinley
Moville, Co Donegal.