DECLAN POOPS POPE’S REQUEST TO PERFORM

FAIR play to singer Declan O’rourke for taking a stand by turning down an invitation to perform for the Pope during his visit to Dublin.

The singer felt he couldn’t sing for Francis because of the numerous abuse scandals and because the Catholic Church has caused so much suffering in this country. It’s a pity he wasn’t allowed perform his hit Galileo which might not have gone down too well with the pontiff.

Didn’t one of his predecessors persecute the Italian astronomer for suggesting the earth went around the sun and not the other way around and only escaped being burned at the stake by recanting on his discovery? Thankfully the Church no longer has problems with the sun, except if the son is gay.

BENT banker David Drumm got off lightly as he will spend not much more than four years in jail for actions which destroyed thousands of lives.

The great and the good are forever promoting the notion of restorative justice and suggesting violent offenders should atone for their crime by meeting their victims. Drumm should be made to share a cell with a prisoner from a family who lost their home because of his and other banks.

He should also be forced to accept prison visits from the relatives of suicide victims forced to take their own lives from the stress caused by the collapse.

The authorities must also ensure every cent he stole from the taxpayer is returned – including his home.

If tens of thousands of families have lost their home why shouldn’t the man responsible lose his?

B