Sinead exposes flaw in national character

WHAT is it in our make-up that makes Irish people so intolerant of difference?

Sinead O’Connor’s plea for understanding and sympathy (Irish Examiner, September 24) should not fall on deaf ears.

There is little doubt that in her life she has gone the road less travelled. Behind the occasional instance of unconventional behaviour, I have never had a problem identifying the hurt from the rage.

She has always struck me as somebody who really cares.

In her writing last week, Sinead brought out into the open what I perceive is a flaw in our national character.

If within Irish society you do something different to the norm, it won’t be too long before the self-appointed elders instigate their whisperings and negativity.

It’s hard to get a handle on it, but a sure sign that it exists is when newspapers print such rubbish because they know in the end of the day it improves their circulation figures.

I think we all have to ask ourselves how Christian and caring we truly are, and I include myself in that question.

Jim Jackman

16 Park Drive Court

Castleknock

Dublin 15