Saving of a soul for a better life

Sir — Another excellent article by Niamh Horan which asks the question, “Is it right to step in if a child is being abused in public?” (Sunday Independent, August 5).

If we are honest, most of us would think twice. Bravo, Niamh, for doing so. But so much goes on behind four walls after the event, that maybe the safest option in this mobile phone age is, and I quote the snippet beside Niamh’s article from the ISPCC, “make immediate contact with the Garda and state the location”. Brian McDevitt,

Glenties, Co Donegal

Sir — On behalf of that little boy, and on behalf of all children who have ever had some stranger step into their lives, even just for a moment, to give them a lasting impression that somewhere out there some people do care — a very big thank you to Niamh Horan.

I wish there were more that responded in the way she did.

I could have done with it myself as a little girl, but the family I was adopted into were too big a “name” locally to be believed as monsters of incredibly sinister behaviours for them even to be looked at honestly.

I used to dream of people like Niamh Horan, because I had none, that is until over a decade ago, my best friend and love of my life came into my life. He assisted me to break free and begin what has now become one of my life’s purposes... to be a free, real human being.

So thank you again Ms Horan for supporting that little boy. He will remember you when his nights are hard and his days are long and grey. That is much more important than his parents’ reaction.

That is the saving of a soul for a better life. Name and address with the Editor