Unfair to expect Arlene Foster at 1916 Rising event

I cannot understand Tom Cooper (January 12) getting hung up regarding Arlene Foster's decision not to attend the 1916 Rising celebrations.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jan 2016, 10:40 BST
Updated 13th Jan 2016, 11:51 BST
The 1916 Rising was internal to Ireland and bitterly divisive so is not equivalent to the Somme commemorationsThe 1916 Rising was internal to Ireland and bitterly divisive so is not equivalent to the Somme commemorations
The 1916 Rising was internal to Ireland and bitterly divisive so is not equivalent to the Somme commemorations

The 1916 Rising was internal to Ireland and evoked bitter and divided loyalties whereas the battle of the Somme whilst involving many Irishmen was external to this country.

It would be unreasonable to expect Arlene Foster to attend the 1916 celebrations as it would to expect Martin McGuinness to attend a commemoration of the signing of the Ulster Covenant 1912.

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Martin McGuinness is de facto joint first minister and will be well able to represent the 40% of the northern electorate to which Mr Cooper refers. Let’s grow up and get rid of this silly tokenism which is playground politics.

A Thompson, Dungannon

Related topics:Arlene FosterMartin McGuinnessIreland