Justine McCarthy's article 'Mary McAleese: the nation needs you to reassure us' is one of the best in the Sunday Tribune today (22 March 2009).


If, as she says, "Brian Cown will not speak to us" in such a "climate of adversity", it behoves our President to do so and now in the autumn of her reign in the áras, she who is so intelligent and articulate could "salvage her legacy" and prove her 'raison d'etre' – well done, Justine.


William Keogh,


Beech Cottage,


The Downs, Mullingar,


Co Westmeath.