I would be grateful, if through your newspaper, you could convey my deepest sympathy to the bereaved parents and friends of the four young persons who lost their lives recently.

I live in Guyana, South America, though my home is near Tandragee, and read of the terrible tragedy on the BBC web page.

I pray that God will bless and strengthen them to face the future.

George McIntyre

Councillors urged to 'use your heads'

It is with some amusement I read recent explanations by local unionist councillors as to why Lisnaskea is covered in flags which a large majority of its population do not want.

Let's get something clear. The flying of these flags has little to do with the Somme and a lot to do with unionist reaction to nationalist remembrance of the Easter rising and 1981 hunger strike.

Nor is this the first time the town's residents have had to suffer flags and symbols which they do not care for. This has been going on for years.

I think Tom Elliott and Arlene Foster need a reality check when they talk about tricolours (two, now taken down) flying in protestant areas.

What sectarian remarks. Is this the mentality behind the territory marking flag fest? If so I'm afraid they are a little optimistic!

Not only is Lisnaskea a shared space but a quick look at the last census results reveals that Lisnaskea Ward has a 76% nationalist population. In terms of percentages Lisnaskea is a more nationalist town than Lisbellaw is unionist. Can you imagine the righteous furore there would be if nationalists demanded to cover Lisbellaw in tricolours!

The equation by some councillors of national and sporting flags hardly merits response. It just doesn't stand up to any half rational analysis.

These people need to grow up and have a bit of respect for the wishes and feelings of their fellow citizens.

Their lack of such signals to many an unwillingness to live with their neighbours as equals. Some behind the flying of these flags may think they can ride roughshod over the majority in this area but I would suggest they should start thinking about who pays their wages. Lisnaskea chamber of commerce take note.

If unionists cherish the Union Jack so much it beggars belief that the place they see it most fit for is the top of a lamp post. Funny really.

As to that actually being flown, what exactly have flags emblazoned "Ulster Scots" or the old government of Northern Ireland flag got to do with the Somme? Absolutely nothing.

Neither that flag nor the "state" existed at that time. And to cap things off the banner which was hanging at the barrack in the town was to the 36th Ulster Division – The UVF.

It made no attempt to remember all the men of the Somme – indeed the inclusion of the "For God and Ulster" motto on the banner was just asking to be misconstrued when one thinks of its more modern usage.

Sadly such thoughtlessness seems to be the guiding light in this affair.

My grandfather fought at the Somme and got a bullet for his trouble – He survived, while his father was killed at Gallipoli. Both were in nationalist divisions.

Personally I have no problem with remembrance of the Somme, if done right. Had the Orangemen of Lisnaskea erected a banner remembering all who died it would be seen as different in the eyes of many.

Their were no good or bad guys at the Somme it was a pointless slaughter, in a pointless war which even some unionists have described as mass murder.

If you want to remember the Somme fly the flags of all the nations involved including Germany and vow that never again will we be led so mindlessly to slaughter. Don't turn it into another frenzy of nationalism which finds no one culpable for the crime and instead exhorts the state or even worse, petty sectarianism. Remember that the King and Kaiser were cousins.

And as for flags and 12th celebrations, they should be up no longer than the celebrations, otherwise, and particularly in areas which are largely nationalist they are just provocative and divisive.

Unionists, no one wants to deny you your culture, flags, or history but for Gods sake – think about the tricolours in Lisbellaw analogy and use your heads, or is that too much to ask?

Stop this cultural adolescence and grow up.

Flagless -

Lisnaskea.

Lisnaskea resident

annoyed at flags

I am writing with regard to the proliferation of Union Jacks, Ulster Scots, Somme and other flags and banners, erected in Lisnaskea.

For the benefit of readers unfamiliar with the town and its population - Lisnaskea is 75% Nationalist, business outlets are of a similar percentage. Last weekend, one would have been forgiven for thinking that it was the other way round.

The town has suffered a series of job losses in recent years and are currently facing the prospect of yet another at Ferne Foods.

The Chamber of Commerce, as usual, were very vocal in expressing their concern and commitment to support the workers in their fight to save their jobs.

But, is not that what one would expect from them, to support the rights of those who keep them in business.

I hope that they are as vocal in their condemnation of this most recent display of sectarian triumphalism which will have a detrimental impact on community relations within the town.

Didn't I read recently of yet another group formed in Lisnaskea, an all-inclusive, cross-community committee; their purpose being to attract funding opportunities and investment to Lisnaskea?

Let's hope that we haven't the deafening silence from such 'representative' groups as we have had in past years.

With the approach of the marching season and the town, yet again, awash with Unionist/Loyalist paraphernalia, one wonders who would want to stop in the town, never mind invest anything in it?

Certainly, the thousands of Donegal supporters heading for the Ulster Final last Sunday had no incentive to pull in for lunch or a drink, etc. For a so-called tourist county, it's a pity that we want to drive them away during the Summer months.

So, let's have a reaction from the many and varied groups in the town which claim to represent the people of Lisnaskea.

Lisnaskea resident

Gaelscoil Eois visitors praise students

I was in Enniskillen Forum on Wednesday, 21st June, as part of the annual school tour of Gaelscoil Eois from Clones, Co. Monaghan.

I was speaking to some pupils from my school in Irish when a young teen addressed me in Irish. He, along with his friend, spoke to me in Irish and it was very evident that they were very keen and confident to speak the language.

The two teens are students from St. Michael's College, Enniskillen. One of them was from Garrison and the other from the South West Fermanagh area. I would like to take this opportunity to praise and highly commend them for their confidence and cordiality in speaking to me in Irish. I would also like to congratulate their Irish teachers who are evidently very successful in teaching and encouraging their students to speak and use the Irish language.

It is very positive for the Gaelic language in Fermanagh and encouraging to see students of such confidence, willing and proud to use their Irish.

It is also of immense benefit to the pupils of my school to see and hear people outside the confines of their school and indeed not related to the school environment, speaking Irish.

These two students are great ambassadors for St. Michael's College and Fermanagh and indeed for their own families and communities. Unfortunately, I didn't get these students' names but I'm sure that they are identifiable and that this message will reach them, their teachers and their families.

Pádraig Ó Cuinneagáin

Principal of Gaelscoil Eois

Councillor requests psychiatric services

Open letter to Health Minister requesting additional services to serve the West and to be incorporated at the new £229 million acute hospital at Enniskillen.

To Minister, Paul Goggins.

I welcome your announcement regarding the outline planning permission for the new £229 million acute hospital at Enniskillen to serve the people of the South West.

This new acute hospital comes through the 'Developing Better Services' strategy to modernise the NI Health Services. I feel that your announcement should be a welcomed development throughout the South West.

With work to commence on this new £229 million acute hospital in Enniskillen. I feel that now is a great opportunity to incorporate within this planned development, major progress within the field of child and adolescent psychiatric services to cater for the people of the West.

It should be borne in mind that there is no acute admission unit for the under sixteen years old age group with Forster Green Hospital being the only unit available and suitable for a mental state assessment of young people.

Is now not an ideal opportunity to develop this service in the West of NI and within our new acute hospital plans in Enniskillen?

As you know, Government Ministers have long acknowledged the need for sustained and new development in this service. Surely, is this not the opportune time to invest?

Figures I have for 2004 show that Sperrin Lakeland Trust had a waiting list of 25 months and one of the longest in NI for psychiatric assessments with 1,289 children and young people waiting to be seen by the child and adolescent service.

This is totally unsatisfactory and I would urge you, as Minister, to support my request at what is a golden opportunity to act now and expand this much needed service in the West and in the new hospital in Enniskillen.

Bert Johnston

Vice Chairman

Fermanagh District Council

Concern thanks

May we, again, use your newspaper to thank the visitors to and the people of Fermanagh for their generous contributions to our street collection on 28th April. The total collected then was £1,965.98 and ¤204.30 and again on 1st July when our collection raised £2,853.50 and ¤206. This ongoing support allows CONCERN to respond to emergencies throughout the developing world.

Earlier this year prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa caused high levels of malnutrition. CONCERN is still providing food to the effected areas and we are establishing long term development programmes to address these problems. 40,000 children under the age of five are so acutely malnourished that they need sustained help.

Your donations are helping these and many other problems.

Eamon Hoy, Chairman

Tom Palmer, Treasurer