Sir, – Voicing views that challenge the elected Government of the State, criticising a celebrated Irish academic because of an honour bestowed on her by our closest neighbour, and now inflaming an already fraught relationship with Israel at a time when we should be trying to calm tensions so we can advocate for the ceasefire we all desire (News, September 22nd).
If there’s a competition for the worst president in the history of our State, I nominate Michael D Higgins. – Yours, etc,
DAVID CLARKE,
Edinburgh,
The Ban: What did barring Sinn Féin voices from the airwaves do to political culture?
A hotel upgrade gone wrong: ‘I pleaded with Loveholidays to revert to my original booking. They wouldn’t’
Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity review: Magisterial work on theologies around sex
Transmissions: The Definitive Story of Joy Division & New Order – An impressive tribute to the bands’ miraculous, affecting art
Scotland.
Sir, – Is it not shocking that President Higgins is writing warm, effusive letters to the Iranian head of state when that same country sentenced human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh to 38 years in jail and 148 lashes for defending girls who refuse to wear the hijab? Iran has also sentenced youngsters to be lashed for dancing in “mixed company”.
The Islamic Republic of Iran were so happy with Michael D Higgins’ letter that they published it on their Dublin embassy’s website. President Higgins then blamed the Israeli embassy for leaking and circulating his letter.
What is Ireland becoming? – Yours, etc,
KARL MARTIN,
Bayside,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – As a reminder, Iran has not held a single democratic election in over 45 years. The regime executes hundreds of its citizens every year, for the crime of attending protests or being gay. It also plays an active role in destabilising the entire Middle East, with its support for both Hamas and Hizbullah, both of which are proscribed international terrorist organisations.
President Higgins might reflect on these issues the next time he puts pen to paper. – Yours, etc,
PETER KINSELLA,
London.