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Southern Irish politicians and commentators never tire of
making the claim that Northern Ireland Protestants would have
nothing to fear in a unitary Irish State, and point to what
they say has been the fair treatment accorded to the minority
in the Republic.
Unfortunately for those who send out this message, the reality
is entirely different. Since 1921 the Protestant position
in every part of the 26 counties has been considerably weakened
and their position undermined.
There are around 100,000 Protestants in the Republic today
- the figure in 1921 was 350,000. Unionism, once a vibrant
force in parts of the South, has been virtually extinguished.
Places like East Donegal, North Monaghan, South Dublin, and
parts of Wicklow once returned Unionist M.P.'s to Parliament.
Even after the withdrawal of the British in 1921 there was
still a strong Unionist presence in the South, but gradually
that was eroded to the point of extinction.
One of the places where Protestants are still relatively
strong is County Donegal, the most northerly county in the
country.
But according to a report in the 'Sunday Times' even in Donegal
the Protestant community looks certain to pass another milestone
in their gradual decline - the loss of their last political
representative.
The 'Sunday Times' reveals that a county which had a Protestant
TD until the 1980's, as well as councillors, is now likely
to lose its last Protestant elected representative, due to
boundary changes.
Jim Devenny, of the Donegal Progressive Party, was elected
on the first count in the Letterkenny electoral ward of Donegal
county council in the 1992 local government when he topped
the poll with 1,800 votes.
Most of Devenny's support came from his fellow Protestants,
almost all of whom are thought to have voted for him. Now,
changes recommended by the electoral commission mean his ward
will lose at least 600 electors, most of them Protestants.
The number of councillors elected to represent his ward is
also being cut from seven to five.
Despite a strong record and a reputation as one of the most
hard-working councillors, most observers believe it is very
unlikely Devenny will be elected.
"The changes are like throwing me into a boxing ring
with one hand tied behind my back", said the Protestant.
His constituency decline mirrors that of the Protestant community
in the border county. In 1891 Protestants made up 21 per cent
of the population, but they now account for only 10.19 per
cent.
In spite of partition, Major J.S. Myles, a Unionist candidate
and former U.V.F. commander, topped the poll for the county
in the first Irish Free State elections in 1923.
Donegal Protestants are mostly centred on the rich and fertile
east - valleys of the Laggan and Finn - with traditional Protestant
and Orange strongholds like Manorcunningham, Raphoe, St. Johnston
and Newtowncunningham.
There is also a strong Protestant presence in the southern
part of the county, centred on Ballintra.
Donegal has the only remaining July 12 demonstration, which
takes place at Rossknowlagh on the Saturday before the 'Twelfth'.
Orange lodges, Black Preceptories, and Apprentice Boys of
Derry clubs are very strong, especially those in East Donegal.
Presbyterians dominate in the Protestant population but there
is also a strong Church of Ireland section and many Methodists
in the Ballintra area.
Losing its last elected representative would undoubtedly
be a blow to Protestant prestige but judging by the actions
of successive Irish Governments down the years, that will
not cause any alarm bells to ring in the corridors of power
in Dublin or elsewhere.
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