Madam, - Vincent Browne (Opinion, February 28th) castigates Irish society for its attitude to Travellers. As proof that this "nasty, vicious society" is racist towards Travellers he cites the widespread use of the nickname John "Frog " Ward. Yet in his first paragraph he himself refers to a person by nickname - Paddy the Plasterer.
I detect a beam in Mr Browne's eye. - Yours, etc,
MEL O'REILLY, Naas, Co Kildare.
Madam, - I was struck by Vincent Browne's column of February 28th which, against a rugby backdrop, highlighted prejudice against Travellers.
Elsewhere in the column, Mr Browne expressly stated his preference for Munster rugby. Fair enough. However, he went on to make a disdainful reference to the contribution of those Irish players who belong to Leinster.
As a keen follower of Irish rugby, I find that the kind of supporters who express their provincial allegiances by disparaging other provinces do so based on stereotyped and misconceived notions of the backgrounds of the players and supporters of the other provincial sides.
I wonder if Mr Browne sees the irony of his own rugby prejudices in the context of his polemic on the settled community's prejudices against Travellers?
If, on such inconsequential grounds, rugby supporters can hold misconceived views of the players and supporters of other provinces (of whatever colour - red, blue, green or white), how can Mr Browne not understand why the wider Irish society is prejudiced against Travellers? - Yours, etc,
STEPHEN O'RIORDAN, Annesley Park, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Vincent Browne makes the point that the Irish Daily Mail "know their audience". I have no doubt that Mr Browne knows his own well enough. - Yours, etc,
CAROLINE BYRNE, Blackglen Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
