The fatal division of `us' and `them' is still alive, without us realizing that there is no `them.

For many years, although some of my closest friends in Ireland were Catholics, in my inmost feelings I felt superior to them - intellectually, socially and in terms of religion.

In such a setting the shivers of despair which get buried at each report of tragedy can be safely brought to the surface of one's spirit.

I find myself writing this article surrounded by packing cases in a house devoid of books and looking strangely barren and uninviting. We are moving house, not knowing where our future home is to be.