A cowardly act on an occasion of joy for two men

I read the story headlined, ‘Halt that wedding’ (Irish Mail on Sunday, December 24). It must have been very upsetting for both Matt Murphy and Michael O’Sullivan to think that two people went behind their backs to object to their wedding.

And it must have been horrendous for Mr Murphy when two HSE officials came to evaluate him to see if he had full control of his faculties. Thankfully they are married now.

The identities of the persons who objected should be revealed to the couple. After all, the objectors should have told the couple that they were going to object.

It is very cowardly to do something like that behind someone’s back. It is also very cowardly to write anonymous letters. If you are going to do something, say that you are going to do it. If you write something, put your name to it and don’t be a coward.

Maureen Lowndes, that paid my Pension Contribution (‘stamp’) for more than 40 years but because, through no fault of my own, there occurred a gap in my payments, the State is depriving me of a substantial monetary portion of my pension every passing week.

Much worse is the penal pension treatment now being thrown at Mná na hÉireann who were forced, by the Irish State to resign from their paid employment under the Marriage Bar.

At a vulnerable time of life they are once again being short-changed.

Perhaps our Taoiseach will find the courage to belatedly lead the way in remedying this outrageous discrimination perpetrated against these women, by restoring their full pension entitlements and paying them their lost back pay, in the form of lump-sum compensation.

The despicable 2012 legislation, through which our TDs sparked this State discrimination, must be repealed and replaced with something more civilised. Meanwhile, why is it taking the Taoiseach and State so long to deliver a fulsome apology to these deprived citizens, and including the many that have passed away? Denis O’Higgins, Monaghan.