YOU assert (Editorial, October 17) that “as each passing census records, fewer and fewer people describe themselves as competent Irish speakers”.

I AM writing to express my support for Belfast drama teacher Máire Nic an Bháird who has made a brave stand on behalf of the Irish speaking community by fighting the charges levelled against her, effectively for speaking Irish, and for endeavouring to ensure her case will be heard in the North in Irish in September.