Highly symbolic State occasion had one unfortunate omission

THE Somme commemoration in Dublin last Saturday was a dignified, significant and highly symbolic occasion.

While the prayer offered by the head chaplain was entirely appropriate it seemed very strange that no representative of the Reformed Churches was asked to participate by way of a scripture reading, a prayer or a blessing. This seemed out of tune with the regular practice of State-organised occasions such as the National Day of Commemoration. It was an unfortunate omission considering the ground-breaking nature of the event as it affects sensitivities in North/South, Irish/English and British Isles/international relations.

Robert Dunlop