NMH land gift from Sisters of Charity could help say sorry

ABOUT four years ago I watched from my workplace on Dawson Street, Dublin, as the survivors of the Magdalene laundries went to the Mansion House for a longoverdue apology from us, the people of Ireland.

It was so sad to see these wonderful and dignified ladies being assisted across the street.

I saw women in wheelchairs, others with walking sticks, and then just a few walking upright and showing that they had survived everything that had been thrown at them.

Then, my thoughts went to those ladies who didn’t make it to Dawson Street. The women who died in mad houses because we, the people, decided that there was something wrong with them and we locked them up in asylums.

Others took their own lives because they couldn’t live with the pain of what they endured.

I’m of an age where I remember these times and, as much as we would want to forget, we are to blame. But my main thought was: where were the representatives of the people who inflicted these shameful atrocities?

They were not to be seen as their high-profile advisers had told them not to apologise because, if they did, they would be sued.

What must those ladies think – not one religious representative was there to say sorry.

The Sisters of Charity are once again being guided by high profile advisers regarding the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) and, again, it’s all about the money and power and greed. The Sisters of Charity are being given the greatest opportunity to apologise for their part in the horror of the Magdalene Laundries.

If they stick to what they are being advised to do, they will alienate more people.

If they publicly gift the land to the people of Ireland, they will have started the healing process.

It could be a new beginning for these religious orders in Ireland.

If they don’t, it will shorten the life of these bodies and their property will fall into the hands of their high-profile advisers.

DAVID HENNESSY, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

GAA’S rushed summer

ON Sunday, we had Championship games in both Gaelic football and hurling clashing because of the condensed season, due to the desire of the GAA clubs to take precedence.

I find it very odd that we’ve had endless bleating on for years about the Sky TV deal being a disgrace, and yet the split-season is a far more fundamental change to the GAA and it was rushed through with barely an acknowledgement from anyone!

B. MAHON, by email.

Age of invisibility

I AM shocked to have suddenly learned that I have become invisible as a consumer.

I began to complete an online survey on the affordability of luxury items, but as soon as I clicked on the multiple-choice questions about my age and sex, I was then curtly informed that this particular survey was over for me.

The funny thing was that when I tried again as if I were a 45-yearold male, then I was able to complete it.

How short-sighted of these online survey promoters.

Don’t they realise that many of us silver surfers have a much higher disposable income than a middle-aged man who has a family and a mortgage to think about?

BRIDGET FREW, via email.

Cold shouldered

I ANSWER every cold call – it’s only good manners. But none get to speak to me personally.

Call my landline and within two rings it’s answered. If the number is not in my phonebook, the caller is informed I’m not available and they can’t leave a message.

Ring my mobile and an unknown number goes to voicemail.

Cold callers don’t leave messages with traceable phone numbers.

COLIN MOORE, via email.