Sir, - Judge Rory O'Hanlon (September 5th) reveals himself to be totally unaware of the fundamental change in the Presidency, and indeed Ireland, since the election of Mary Robinson.
While Dana is certainly no retiring politician, the new inclusive Ireland cannot have as its representative one who would subscribe to Judge O'Hanlon's humbug-prefixed dogma - "I do not seek to impose my religious views on others, but the Church is right and the common good is best served by following the teaching of the Church" - on matters of morality.
Another prospective presidential candidate, Senator Norris, has found legal remedy against the intolerant belief that the common good (your good and mine) should be determined by the strictures of one religious organisation. Such views have mercifully been increasingly rejected by the Irish courts in this decade.
Similarly, the Presidency should be the property of no group - whether back-room politicians, divisive ideologies, or religious institutions. However, I agree with Judge O'Hanlon that Dana should run - so that Ireland can decisively turn its back on the gombeen myth.
Maybe then high officers of State will have more humility before "proclaiming the truth" unto the Irish people, and expecting us to follow cap-in-hand behind. - Yours, etc.,
Director, Trinity Alliance, Trinity College, Dublin 2.