‘Social’ coke users swim in same sewer as dealers
WHILE I agree with your analysis of the problem concerning the usage of cocaine by Ireland’s middle class (MoS, August 5), I sympathise with the families of all those who fall victim to the scourge of drugs.
However, questions need to be asked by friends and family of those who use cocaine ‘socially’. Like it or not, these users swim in the same sewer as those odious pushers who deal in death and misery. If there were no buyers there would be no sellers.
Ireland’s professional classes enrich and empower these dregs of humanity by their purchasing and usage of drugs. It should be remembered that those creatures who supply the cocaine blasted the life out of a young apprentice plumber, Anthony Campbell, because he had the misfortune of witnessing an execution by these peddlers of death.
Everyone associated with selling or buying drugs must shoulder some responsibility for the associated misery inflicted on society. Those who aid their friends in securing drugs are complicit in deaths from misuse, and those who know and stay silent are betrayers of society.
Tom Cooper, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.
Granny Grant ‘dotty’
THE Granny Grant is bonkers. Giving €1,000 for 10 hours a week to all who would care for a child is dotty.
And this at a time when the health service is in a mess and when frail, retired taxpayers can’t get a home help for an hour a week.
Elderly, blind or semi-blind people can’t have a simple cataract removal. Their families have to arrange transport up and down from the North to have this simple day operation.
Children must wait for scoliosis surgery for their spine. They’re left in pain with additional damage being done to their lungs, mental and physical wellbeing.
Adults are left waiting for knee, or hip repairs, also affecting their physical health and quality of life.
No rural landline allowances, no rural transport, rural post offices closing...
What is wrong with the prioritising of the sensible use of taxpayer money? ‘Cop-on’ is in short supply, or totally missing.
Margaret Walshe, Dublin 15.
Credit where it’s due
WHILE some of our sportspeople were bringing glory to the country over the last few weeks, there are also Irish commentators who deserve applause.
High on the merit list is the long-serving George Hamilton, who was at his professional best during the soccer World Cup.
He then went on to describe the action at the Women’s Hockey World Cup and the European Athletics championships. George is certainly a man of many parts as he has been presenting a classical music show on Lyric FM for many moons. Ger Canning is best-known for his GAA commentaries but he was also in action at the world cups in soccer and women’s hockey.
John Kenny was also part of the RTÉ team in Russia, as well as reporting on cricket and GAA matches and motorsport. Well done to the talented trio.
Noel Coogan, Navan, Co. Meath. ...GEORGE HAMILTON seems to be RTÉ’s main ‘foreign games’ commentator. He didn’t do a great job on the Women’s Hockey World Cup semi-final and final, beyond stating the obvious that even I could have said.
As very many viewers, myself included, were new to the sport, a little bit of explanation would have been in order, for example, that a ball hitting a player’s foot seems to yield a free.
Ger Canning is chiefly identified with Gaelic games. His commentary on the hockey quarter-final was far more informative and, if he didn’t know why some decision had been made, he specifically asked his accompanying expert.
George, stick to the soccer. Fran O’Brien, Co. Carlow.
Gavin’s Áras bid
PRESIDENTIAL election wannabe Gavin Duffy is certainly not short of optimism, having suggested he would not take a salary cut if elected to the Áras (MoS, August 5).
Optimism – or is it arrogance or hard neck? Duffy has as much chance of being President as I have of reaching the moon.
And while commenting on the subject, it must be stated that the annual salary of €325,000 paid to the person in the Phoenix Park is obviously far too much.
Compare that figure to the modest weekly amount given to people on social welfare benefit. The pitch is far from even.
Liz Lawless, Navan, Co. Meath.
In praise of books
I WAS glad to read that sales of books are on the rise (MoS, August 5). Electronic devices such as the Kindle have their attractions but simply can’t compete with the real thing. Hi-tech isn’t always best.
Brian Donovan, Cork city.