Strange carry-on at the Emmet commemoration

I WAS amazed by two events connected with the Emmet anniversary commemorations. The most bizarre event took place as we as we stood outside St Catherine’s Church in Thomas Street in Dublin last Saturday at the same time that Robert Emmet was executed 200 years before.

Having listened to erudite historians and ballads, a swarm of Special Branch detectives descended on a group of young people at the front of the crowd and proceeded to jostle and threaten them in a most aggressive fashion.

As an interested bystander I attempted to intervene and was rudely pushed aside. I could not believe this was happening in 2003, 200 years after Emmet's death. Has anyone in the Emmet commemoration committee heard of this strange intervention, or would they care to comment?

I was also interested in an event held at Green Street Special Criminal Court on Friday, September 19, at 7pm. I turned up to be told that it was 'by invitation only' as security clearance was needed to enter the building.

Was this not another very bizarre happening the idea of holding a commemoration for Emmet in the court where he was condemned while an identical political court sits in the same spot 200 years later and tries political cases? Plus ça change.

Cristína Ní Choisdealbha,

15, Gort na Mainistreach,

Cill Easra,

Baile Átha Cliath 5.