Sir, - It was a famous victory. The boys in green did the business against all the odds. The glory days are back again. It was the perfect day - well, almost!
A little noticed incident that left me with a sickening feeling occurred under the gaze of those in the East Stand last Saturday. The Dutch substitute Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink came on to the pitch, and took up his position on the right wing. Within seconds a banana was hurled from the crowd and landed at his feet. In all the excitement, not many noticed. But the three men, not young, in front of me did, and sniggered audibly.
Did we really need to resort to this level of racist intimidation to beat the Dutch? Of course not. So what was the message being given by the "banana thrower" and his furtive supporters high in the stand? As the UN Conference on Racism continues in Durban, let nobody think that proceedings there have little to do with Ireland. Racism is present in our society, as in every other. Vigilance and political leadership to ensure that it is never given free reign are vital. - Yours, etc.,
Justin Kilcullen, Director, Tr≤caire, Blackrock, Co Dublin.