No blanket hatred of British

PENNY Ponders (Letters, April 21) shows complete ignorance of Irish history.

The Irish president lowered the flag at his residence in a “noble gesture” to mark the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The apparent ensuing “social media storm from extreme Irish nationalists” clearly upset Ms Ponders, such that she felt the need to scold these “elements in Ireland” who won’t let go of their hatred of Britain.

Perhaps a quick browse through Irish history will help Ms Ponders to understand that several centuries of brutality and murder during the British occupation of Ireland, right up to the recent past in the north of the island, are still fresh in the minds of most Irish people, not just “extreme nationalists”.

Comparing this to Scottish “nationalists” is like comparing apples with oranges.

Much of Scotland wants independence from Westminster to free itself from greed, corruption and illegal wars, and from a government they did not vote for.

Neither the Scots nor the Irish are guilty of simple blanket hatred of all things British. Kevin Orr,

Bishopbriggs.