No Sinn Fein Attack

THE editorial in last week’s issue, “Walsh Was Right,” was in error in claiming that this year’s St. Patrick’s Day statement by the Congressional Friends of Ireland “attacked Sinn Fein” for their lack of response to the McCartney case.

The Friends of Ireland statement did not mention Sinn Fein in connection with the McCartney case. The statement simply said, “Justice must also be done in the case of Robert McCartney.”

In fact, the Friends of Ireland statement echoed the words of Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, who has said, “I support the McCartney family. I support their demand for justice.” Surely, the Irish Voice should support their demand as well.

Senator Edward
M. Kennedy
Washington, D.C.

Parade Chair At Fault

NEW York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Chairman John Dunleavy’s outburst at the folk who march/don’t march in his exclusive parade would have outraged Sigmund Freud due to its strong sexual content.

Mr. Dunleavy says that Senator Hillary Clinton’s office never said “thank you or kiss my rear end” for being allowed to march. As far as I can see, John, she invites people to vote for her, not to osculate her posterior!

John also said, “If you want a piece of my rear end go right ahead,” etc. Now, John, when the macho males are talking about a “piece of ass,” to use the more vulgar term, I’m sure they are not talking about you, and certainly I’m sure no self respecting gay man would be aroused by your rear end.

Mr. Dunleavy on New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn: “What she does in private behind closed doors is none of my business as long as its not shoved in my face.” What is “it,” John, and why mention “it” if ”it’s” none of your business!

He also said, “If we let ILGO in what’s next, the Irish Prostitutes Association?” Well, John, the late Jesus Christ hung out with the world’s best known prostitute, Mary Magdalene, who washed his feet with her tears. Jesus let Mary Magdalene march in his parade to Calvary and she was the first person he appeared to after he got crucified.

So given all this, Mr. Dunleavy, and your asinine comments, don’t worry. You are not a piece of ass. You are the complete thing, a total ass.

Malachy McCourt
Green Party Candidate
For New York Governor
New York, New York

Keane Interest

MICK McCarthy is fired again, and Roy Keane goes from strength to strength. He’s achieved all of his ambitions to date.

Oh the joy! The sublime justice of it all has me nearly speechless, but not quite.

Robert O’Sullivan,
Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Breaching Agreement

THE editorial in the March 8-14 issue, “Recall the Assembly Now,” stated that the British and Irish governments “should embark on a cohesive plan to jointly rule (sic) Northern Ireland, as is provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.”

In fact, such an arrangement would be a complete breach of the Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent which is at the heart of it.

Article 1(i) of the section of the agreement dealing with constitutional issues recognizes in terms the legitimacy of Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom based on the choice “freely exercised” of the people who live there. Article 1(iii) explicitly states that “it would be wrong to make any change in the status of Northern Ireland save with the consent of a majority of its people.”

Joint authority, which by definition would change the status of Northern Ireland, is wholly incompatible with this.

Republicans seeking to persuade Unionists to enter a power-sharing government might find Unionist politicians more receptive if they were to accept the fundamental political reality – that the only realistic basis for the governance of Northern Ireland in the foreseeable future is one firmly within the United Kingdom.

Jonathan Caine
Northern Ireland/ Constitutional Affairs
Assistant Director
Conservative Research Department
London, England

All-Inclusive Good Time

ON Sunday, March 5 I traveled from the Bronx to Sunnyside to witness the inclusive St. Patrick’s parade for the first time. I regret not having done so before.

I found it to be a fitting tribute to the inclusiveness of Ireland. Friends have told me that this celebration more accurately reflects the St. Patrick’s parade in Dublin in its lively colorfulness. My late parents were born in Co Longford, and I still have strong family ties there.

I was certainly impressed by the participation of Irish Consul General Tim O’Connor and the many New York City politicians. I wonder how many people know that the Dublin band De Jimbe was sponsored by the Irish Culture group for the fifth time? That the government of Ireland would invest its money in this celebration should not go unnoticed.

I would have liked to have seen the Irish Voice mention the brilliant performance of step dances by the students from PS 59 in the Bronx under the direction of their Dublin-born teacher, Caroline Duggan, before the parade.

The groups of Irish cultural and political organizations as well as the ethnic groups honoring their indebtedness to Irish patriots like the San Patricios in Mexico and Roger Casement for the rights of the indigenous people of Peru added to the atmosphere.

When I attended the Longford Association dinner dance on March 12, we discussed the parade and its color and inclusiveness. Some of my younger dinner mates expressed their intention of joining next year’s celebration. I hope more Irish and Irish Americans will follow suit.

Patrick F. Sheridan
Bronx, New York

Proud of Historic Day

TO be present at the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) rally in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, March 8, in support of such a noble cause at such an historic event was for me an honor and an occasion that will provide me with lasting memories.

ILIR deserve great credit for bringing together such an esteemed group of people in support of the Irish lobbying case. Personally I was pleased to see courageous New York City Police Detective Steven McDonald there in support. The last time I saw Steven was when I had the privilege of signing him and the late Father Mychal Judge into Parliament Buildings in Belfast. They were in Ireland as part of a peace mission.

The Irish boys and girls who came from all across America to be present at ILIR’s Capitol Hill events certainly did Ireland proud. They proved excellent ambassadors for their cause and country, well mannered, well informed and at all timed courteous.

This to me was another great day for the Irish, and I am certain that the events will enter the annals of Irish American folklore. It is my sincere hope that the end product of the immigration debate will deliver an acceptable outcome from an Irish perspective.

P.J. Bradley
Member, SDLP
South Down, Northern Ireland