Sir, - Would it not be feasible, after such serious disorder, that all marches of any description could be banned until further notice in Northern Ireland? There are nationalists and loyalists only too keen to use marches as an excuse to riot and intimidate.
Very little publicity was given in the national press about the annual Orange march which took place in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal earlier in the season without the slightest problem from any quarter. Rossnowlagh must be considered as "predominantly Catholic" and it is in the Republic. Both visitors and locals enjoyed the march, as they do every year.
The sad irony is that the Northern Ireland Orange marches, and the resulting riots and intimidation, have virtually destroyed the tourist season for Donegal. It will take some time to recover from such a sudden and unexpected blow to the industry, in which millions of pounds have been invested over recent years. - Yours etc
Clar Road,
Donegal Town.