Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers

1944 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Irish Times, 29.05.1944

"A Vile Attack"

Sir. On Tuesday evening, May 23rd, the candidates for Fianna Fail, Mr. Christopher M. Byrne and Mr. Thomas Brennan, and also Mr. Tadhg Forbes, barrister-at-law, addressed a meeting at Barndarrig Church when the people came out form attending the retreat. I happened to be one of the congregation. My horse was tied up a little distance from the church, and by the time I had the trap yoked the meeting was in progress; so I had to listen to some of the speakers.

I am prompted to write this letter because of the fact that during his speech Mr. Forbes made a very vile and unjust attack on your paper, the Irish Times, and, indeed, on the minority in this country. He made reference to the leading article in Tuesday's Irish Times in his appeal to the people to give Mr. de Valera a majority, as "even the Irish Times in their leading article, that rag which is the upholder of the Unionist element and Protestantism in this country, admits that Eamon de Valera would be the most suitable Taoiseach." He went on to say that partition was the one big matter which had not yet been settled by Fianna Fail.

Well, as one who takes a very prominent part in the farmers' organisation in Eire, I know the farmers hold that it is only the farmers and people of rural Ireland who will end partition. Certainly it won't be the politicians on either side of the border, but I hold that such a vile speech from any man, much less one representing the Government Party, can only have one result, which is to stir up old bitterness and hatred and bigotry, and will do grave harm to our cause. Of course, Mr. Forbes attacked the leaders of all the other parties, and accused them of conspiring to overthrow the Government, which, of course, is definitely untrue.

As a Catholic, I was disgusted at his language and manner of address, which was bent on trying to stir up class hatred, and at a moment when the congregation, coming out from beautiful devotions, should have their hearts full of the spirit of charity and peace and good-will. It is no wonder that Mr. Patrick Cogan, the Farmers' candidate, in his election appeal, asks support for his party, which stands for "clean and honest administration." Yours, etc., Elizabeth F. Bobbett,

Director of Elections for Wicklow Farmers' Party (Clann na Talmhan). Springfield, Kilbride,

Wicklow, May 25th, 1944.

PS: I have the honour to be the first lady to be appointed as Director of Elections, and not Madame O'Moore, as stated in the Irish Press. I was appointed on May 15th, so it was the Wicklow farmers who again gave the lead.