Linking IRA figure to Covid deaths an insult to all of us
RECENT events in Northern Ireland must be an embarrassment to all those innocent voters who thought that voting for Sinn Féin in the last election was a vote for change. Sadly, these events have proved they are the least-changed party on the island.
The old Sinn Féin is there hiding behind the so-called humanity and quasi-empathy, saying that it would not apologise for offering its condolences to everyone who lost family members due to Covid-19.
How offensive can you get linking the deaths of innocent people from the virus with members of the IRA? How offensive can you get putting aside the restrictions in force to prevent the spread of the virus to ‘celebrate’ the life of a deceased member of the IRA?
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and all the other parties and TDs who opted out of assisting Sinn Féin to form our Government were absolutely correct. Do we really want a government run by a party that is still aligned, or so it seems from this week’s actions, with the IRA?
Did we vote for change? Apparently so. Did we get change? Only time will tell, but at least the ‘real’ civil war is finally over.
John Colgan, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
Funeral met rules
I TRAVELLED up from Kinsale for the funeral of Bobby Storey and was told by the organisers about the new guidance rules.
No rules were broken as far as I could see and it was a pleasure to pay my respects to a great republican whom I had met previously in West Cork at a function.
He had worked so hard for peace and equality in this country, like the late Martin McGuinness.
Will Arlene Foster enforce the law on the 12th of July on social distancing when thousands of orangemen and women go on parades, passing Catholic areas and shouting abuse and will the Green Party stop the huge bonfires that light up the sky at night? I don’t think so.
Leo Varadkar let 5,000 Italians into Ireland for a cancelled rugby match at the start of the pandemic. And the Cheltenham Races tell another story, where several people died from Covid-19 as a result of attending them.
Noel Harrington, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
Usual price gripes
THE recent re-opening of bars, restaurants and hotels is to be welcomed. For reasons of economics and morale, allowing people to spend money in the hospitality sector while reestablishing connections with family and old friends is the balm we need right now.
However, we are already hearing gripes from the usual quarters about inflated and extortionate prices.
As much as we need restrictions to be lifted, we also need a dose of financial realism. These businesses will disappear if they don’t quickly recover lost revenue. Without them, we would all be the poorer in the future. Let’s not begrudge them a fair price now if it will help them back on their feet. D Ryan, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Harris sacrificed
AFTER more than four long months, the political gravy train is up and running.
The portent for the future of our country, however, is not good, judging by the bad decision by gravy-train driver Micheál
Martin to make Stephen Donnelly the new Minister for Health, in place of Simon Harris.
Now, I am quite sure that Donnelly will make an excellent Minister for Health in time.
But Harris has been there since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis and is fully up to speed on the subject, and knows everybody he needs to know, to help us through this very difficult time.
There is no logic in changing the captain of the metaphorical ship at this time, neither can I understand why Leo Varadkar allowed it. Both the Fianna Fáil’s and Fine Gael’s leaders are playing politics with the country’s health, and that is not acceptable at any time. I just hope we don’t live to regret this foolish decision.
John Fair, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
OAPs undervalued
ASK not what your country can do for you, because that’s the last you’ll hear of it – except, of course, if you’re in receipt of the free weekly €350 Covid payment that was thrown your way whether deserving of it or not.
Pensioners, like many of us, are just grateful for being allowed live on for another while but are not getting anything extra to just hang about.
That’s grand so, but I cannot help feeling that the status in society of us old fogies has been severely downgraded.
Younger voters, those who bother to make their mark, are being assured during recent events that their ballot makes a more valid and valuable contribution to Irish life than their parents and grandparents. Older lives don’t matter so much, even on a social welfare front, and the lack of basic official respect for citizens who are getting on is a stark and worrying trend. Buzz off!
Robert Sullivan, Bantry, Co. Cork.