President highlights our sectarian legacy

THIS island has been cursed by religious sectarianism since the Reformation, all too often characterised by brutal violence and ethnic cleansing.

President Mary McAleese, coming from a strong nationalist background, has admirably prioritised a healing agenda since her election.

We in Reform welcome the clarification of her recent remarks, while sadly recognising that her comparison of unionists to Nazis was out of keeping with her bridge-building pledges.