Irish president comes out in support of Dublin Archbishop

Nah Carroll09, the President isnt a waste of money by any manner of means; at least to those of us who live on this part of the Island of Ireland and have seen at first hand the good work that both the President and her Husband have undertaken to bring people from all cultures and traditions together. Thanks to her efforts, many Unionists feel totally at home when visiting the Republic now. There are Partnerships in place between north and south, east and west, all encouraging the fostering of understanding and respect between all people and traditions. Going back even further, I was in the crowd that stood outside Omagh Courthouse one week after the bomb that killed 31 people. The President was there that day, and her presence and actions conveyed more than anything else that the actions of Renegade "so called" Republicans did not represent the people of Ireland. And as well as that, she has served two terms in office with distinction. As an Ulsterman I am very proud of the fact that one of our own has carried out her office in such a manner. I am also proud of the fact that the Irish people will elect the first openly gay man as the next President of Ireland; I refer of course to Senator David Norris. Unfortunately, I dont have a vote, but if I did, I would cast it in his favour.

Carroll0 and GeorgeD, yes, I agree. One can't but notice that the standard of journalism on IC has taken a nose-dive alright - for heaven's sake, it was bad enough with Kelly in charge as editor but now that she's gone off the pages, it's got worse. The quality of posted comments has gone up actually, notwithstanding a few derisible ones. Bring back Fr. Tim! I stand w/ Mary McAleese and w/ Archbishop Martin. I just can't stand hacks posting articles on ICentral that are loaded w/ misrepresentation.

Good for Mary Mcaleese suporting Archbishop Martin! The commenters below sound like Donohue like hacks...They are spinning for dying establishment and don't know anyting about Mary Mcaleese and allof the good work that she does everyday.

Well critiqued, Carroll09. The standard of journalism on IC is deplorable. If it was just on stories like recipes for Irish Stew or recommending good pubs in Ireland, it wouldn't matter. But when we are dealing with very serious issues--questions of honor and integrity, indeed of possible criminal liability--we really have a right to expect better than the Journalism School-type articles we read on this site.

Patrick Cooper - you need to get real and report the facts. The Vatican did not overrule Diarmuid Martin. One can only overrule another when the first person has the power to make a ruling in the first place. When it comes to the resignation of a bishop, the Pope has the final say- being free to accept or reject a resignation. The decision is his alone. Diarmuid Martin knows this well. Furthermore, Dr Martin only called on bishops mentioned in the report to "take responsibility", noting that resignation is not the only way of doing so. I wonder, Mr Cooper, if you could quote for I.C. readers where Dr Martin said specifically that Bishops Walsh and Field were "culpable on child abuse scandals"? The Murphy Report didn't find them culpable, and I'm quite certain that Dr Martin did not make any ruling contrary to the report: so in your article you have misrepresented the Murphy Report, Diarmuid Martin, and the position of Bishops Walsh and Field as detailed in the report...More biased and misinformed [and misinforming] "reporting" from I.C.

quixotic--At least to get to be pope you have to be elected. McAleese, in a stitch-up typical of the corrupt Irish political system, was given a seven year term without contesting an election. She's what my Irish cousin calls "a worthless waster".

This woman McAleese is under-worked, over-paid and unelected. She should shut up. Better still, abolish the waste of money that is the Irish Presidency, it gives nonentities like McAleese a sinecure for years. Get a real job, McAleese, and stop living off the people!

Mary should be Pope

Wow-unbelievable- is this the first ever "nice to Catholic Church" article in the Irish Central??? However, notice that there are the usual two or more Catholic bashing articles in the same issue.