Article about nationalist reaction to coronavirus was an insult to Ireland as a nation

(The article can be read here: ‘Nationalists for political ends tried to overturn measured advice to schools on coronavirus,’ March 18)

I am an Irish person and proud of it.

I do not support Sinn Fein at all. I would not give them one vote.

What John O’ Dowd said was a disgrace. Mary Lou McDonald was showing her true colours in not condemning it. Michelle O ‘Neill should not have made a u-turn about closing schools. She should have supported the executive in their decision.

Unfortunately Owen’s article came across, in my opinion, as saying all the Irish people were criticising the NI executive for their decision in not closing schools.

I think the majority of the people in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) only want everybody on this island to be protected from coronavirus in the best way possible.

As we are two separate jurisdictions we both have our own health advisors.

Nobody is right or wrong in their advice. As the world is in uncharted waters.

I felt Owen was criticising the RoI health advisors on their advice and the Irish government in their approach they are taking.

Also the Irish government never criticised the approach taken by the UK government or the NI executive.

The whole article I felt was anti Irish and an insult to the majority of Irish people.

It was also an insult to Ireland as a nation.

Jim O Connor, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin