Sir, - Whilst returning home at 11.50 p.m. last Saturday from a social function sponsored by Newry and Mourne District Council to welcome French students to Ireland, I was stopped by a Garda/Army patrol at the Lough Armagh border.
A Garda asked me in English to open my car's boot, to which I replied: "I would appreciate it if you could facilitate me in Gaelic?" The Garda continued to communicate in English, so I reminded him of the rights of an Irish citizen, under the Constitution, to use either of our two official languages.
The Garda persisted in English, so my eight year old son interjected, with a offer to act as translator! I thanked my son and explained to him that gardai were obliged to be able to speak Gaelic or English as circumstance dictated.
The Garda moved off to consult with his colleague and after a minute or so he told me to go on. At no stage did he revert to Gaelic or even explain why my constitutional rights were denied me.
This is not the first time the gardai have acted in this fashion, and I look forward to the day when our civil rights as Gaelic speakers are given effect in law by the enactment of a bill of rights or a Gaelic language Act. - Yours, etc.,
Iur Chinn Tra,
Co. an Duin.