Charity right to seek funds with British Army’s help

Tom Cooper (Letters, Sept 19) avoids the central points of one letter and comments on the odious association between an aggressive predatory army and a children’s charity.

Perhaps he might explain his own odious association with eulogising the exploits of so-called Irishmen who collaborated with Nazi Germany during the Second World War? Mr Cooper conveniently ignores the fact that several million men women and children were exterminated by those same Nazis.

Children with disabilities require 24-hour care and the Jack and Jill Foundation which Mr Cooper has criticised are, in the absence of reduced Government funding, left seeking funds wherever possible. These children and their families need support and if those extra funds can be raised through the appearance of a British Army Band at a charity event so be it.

Republicanism is about equality and inclusiveness, and while there are outstanding issues regarding all victims of the Troubles, which need to be addressed in the context of acknowledging the hurt caused by all sides to all sides, that history cannot be permitted to dictate our future relationship with others.

Peter Mulvany

Clontarf

Dublin 3