Madam, - The introduction to an article by Lt Paddy Buryfrom Co Wicklow in your edition of August 1st refers to him as "an Irish soldier", even though he is a member of the British army Rangers.
I find this not only inaccurate but offensive, and an affront to those who fought, many making the ultimate sacrifice, to free this country from British rule. Lt Bury may well be an Irishman, but he most certainly is not an Irish soldier.
For many years now The Irish Timeshas reminded us, ad nauseam,that there is but one army in this State, the Irish Army, a position I fully support. For The Irish Timesto imply that a British soldier can simultaneously be an Irish soldier is bringing revisionism to a new level.
Despite the recent deluge of revisionism, there is still a considerable body of opinion in Ireland which not only rejects the concept of an Irishman in British army uniform being regarded as an Irish soldier, but regards that army as an occupying force on this island. - Yours, etc,
TOM COOPER.
Delaford Lawn,
Dublin 16.