Sir, - From time to time you publish letters that, I believe, are intended to be controversial and will stir up responses that will be equally controversial.
One such, I am convinced, is that from Eamon O Gribin (May 3rd). He describes an incident when returning from a function sponsored by Newry and Mourne District Council, a function presumably conducted in English. Your correspondent is stopped by our security forces in the exercise of their duty to protect us all, a serious and at times hazardous task, deserving our full support. Is this support forthcoming? No. Apparently Mr O Gribin is more concerned that the Garda in question should be able to converse with him in Gaelic than that ho should be diligent in his security duties.
Do we take our border security seriously? Imagine for a moment what would happen if one were stopped at a Swiss border check by a German speaking officer and one refused to cooperate unless he spoke to one in French! It makes me angry that any Irish person should mock one of our security forces in the exercise of their duties, duties which may involve them in risking their lives for our protection.
I have many friends who love and use the Irish language. I know none who insist on inflicting it upon those who are not sufficiently fluent to converse with them through the medium. That is to their credit. It is significant perhaps that your correspondent writes to you in English, I believe further comment is unnecessary, however tempting. Yours, etc.,
Malahide,
Dublin.