Letter Writer Is Twisted

I am writing in response to Jonathan Ellis’s “Defending Protestants” letter in last week’s Irish Voice.

I respond to his letter in the good name of Irish Catholics and Nationalists everywhere, Ireland and abroad. Mr. Ellis’ piece is a superb example of bigoted propaganda and I am sure that I was not the only reader to be infuriated by it.

Mr. Ellis’ sensational choice of vocabulary used to describe Catholics and Nationalists, such as “fanatical,” “fascist,” “storm troopers,” and “hate-mongers,” was matched only by his twisted logic, through which he justifies the spectacle of the July 12 Orange Parades.

His perception of the parades was one of peaceful, unprovocative expression and traditional values. He fails to mention the burning effigies of the Pope, the burning Tricolors, the drunken lewdness, the paramilitary banners, songs and slogans, and the overall mockery and insult hurled at Catholic families in their own communities.

Mr. Ellis must be familiar with an entirely different July 12, where “defenseless young mothers and elderly pensioners” are mercilessly hunted down in the streets by bloodthirsty Catholics.

It was Sinn Fein officials who tried desperately to calm the Nationalist crowds after being provoked by the passing Orange “brethren” as they sang Loyalist songs and yelled out insults.

And unfortunately, it was the grand master of the Orange Order that rebuked lodges in Nationalist areas for engaging in dialogue on how best to prevent violence during the tense marching season. Sadly, the decisions of the Order are being made by bigoted, Loyalist “brethren” of this ilk.

The orange should remain on the Tricolor. Nationalist Protestants and Catholics alike forged the Ireland that we now know, and as there was a place for Protestants in their vision of Ireland back then, there is now.

However, it is the bigoted, sectarian Protestants who were not, and are not, welcome in our Ireland.

Liam O hEaghra
Malverne, New York

Seeking Sports History

I AM writing a local sports history publication in Ireland to commemorate the Athlone Town team in Co. Westmeath which won the Football Association of Ireland Cup (soccer) in 1924.

One of the team members, Terence (Terry) Judge emigrated to New York from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, in 1928, with his wife Bridget (Delia) nee Cooke. He died in December 1963, while his wife passed away in March 1974. I believe they had one son, possibly also called Terry.

There are no strong family connections left in Ireland and I am hoping to contact members of the family in America as part of my work to honor this team.

If any readers have any information which could help me or know of the Judge family or their descendants, I would be greatly obliged if they could contact me at Arravale, Deerpark Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

Alternatively, contact me by phone at 011-353-87-4170700, or by email at tadhgcarey@eircom.net

Tadhg Carey
Athlone, Ireland

Orangemen Are Bigoted Irishmen

Is Jonathan Ellis from the Bronx for real?

From reading his letter about Protestants in last week’s issue, I get the distinct impression that he is an absolute bigot. He should go to Northern Ireland for a year or two and get a first hand education on its history.

I would like to point out some things to Mr. Ellis. First, the Orangemen in Dunloy could have chosen one of their members to go place the wreath instead of making a show of themselves (as usual) by marching through a Catholic area.

The Orange Order, up until a few years ago, could march, and did march, anywhere in Northern Ireland they pleased. They did not give a thought to how they were provoking their Catholic neighbors. Changed times, I would say!

I’m sure the Orange Order is very proud that a Catholic Church in Antrim has to close its doors every year during the marching season and the congregation has to travel outside their district to go to Mass. What an accomplishment for the Orange Order!

Second, Ardoyne is a Catholic area where the people (like many others throughout Northern Ireland) suffered greatly at the hands of the UVF, UDA, and other Protestant organizations.

They are expected, not only every 12th of July, but other times throughout the year, to sit and twiddle their thumbs like prisoners in their own homes, while the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) make sure the Orangemen get to walk down that part of the Crumlin Road.

It is not only the Orangemen, but their hundreds of supporters who come marching along. Would you call this intimidation? Why is it right for the Orangemen to march down this road and not right for the youth of Ardoyne to go out and protest that they believe it is wrong for this parade to be there?

Could the Republican population of Northern Ireland march through any area they wished? Not on a bet!

Sinn Fein were voted into government by the people, who for years, were abused at the hands of the Unionist government. Sinn Fein were voted into power by the people who want, and demand, a better way of life, not only for themselves, but their children and grandchildren.

Mr. Ellis insulted Catholics, Irish Republicans and Nationalists from Northern Ireland. I have to wonder what makes him such a bitter person. Maybe he was present when Ian Paisley made the famous speech to his followers informing them that all Catholics in Northern Ireland were in the IRA.

Neither Sinn Fein nor the Catholic population in Northern Ireland are going away, so waken up and smell the Lilies. And just in case you didn’t know, the IRA war was never waged against the Protestant population, it was against the British.

Let’s not forget they are the occupying force in Northern Ireland. North, south, east and west of Ireland belongs to the Irish. The Orangemen are Irish men, like it or not.

I think the Ulster Unionist Party should charter as many airplanes as necessary to send all the Catholic people from the contentious parade routes in Northern Ireland to New York every July 11-21. Give them all a paid holiday before leaving and locking up their homes. The Catholics could hang the Tricolor out side their homes just so the Orangemen and their supporters had something to spit and swear at.

As for the fanatical element that Ireland can live without that Mr. Ellis writes of, he need look no further than himself. It is people like him who keep the hate machine grinding.

Catherine Clarke
Burlington, Vermont

Protestant Terrorist Act

We have witnessed an Orange march through a Protestant town and found it interesting. However, intrusions into Catholic areas are a different kettle of fish, poses questions and brings up what seems to be a valid, if hypothetical, parallel.

What would the reaction be if a group of white Americans dressed up in 7th Cavalry uniforms and marched through Wounded Knee, South Dakota playing “Garry Owen”? There would be protests, possible violence and probably condemnation from the international community.

Being insensitive, belligerent and discourteous is not a way civilized human being act or aid the peace process. I was raised as a Protestant but find the July 12 marches just slightly less disgusting than the terrorist acts of al-Qaeda.

Dave Breternitz
Dove Creek, Colorado