Biden’s Ballina ancestor should be his inspiration

THE identity of the 46th president of the United States has been confirmed. After what has seemed like an interminable wait, Joe Biden, Irish-American, will take up residence in the White House next January.

People will concern themselves with the drama attending the man who is being evicted – but enough newsprint has been expended on him. It is one of the comforts of his defeat that we should not have to hear quite so much from him again.

From Biden, there is less noise and bluster. His Mayo ancestor gave practical, compassionate and skilful help to his compatriots during the famine overseeing the construction of public works. He did so without fanfare or in expectation of acclaim.

It is to be hoped that a Biden presidency has these same qualities of public service and empathy. A bit more reserve and a little less chaos on Pennsylvania Avenue would also make a welcome change. Geraldine Ford, Galway.

Festive roulette

THERE’S no question that everyone wants to celebrate Christmas in the normal way this year, but the more I think about it the more I wonder whether the price we will pay is too great.

Whether you are of the Christian faith or not, it is a time of joy, a time to gather and enjoy the company of family and friends, a time when loved ones return from far-flung shores and children delight in Santa Claus.

Of course, it is also a difficult time for many; those living alone, those who don’t have family or who have lost a loved one.

When NPHET recommended a second Level 5 lockdown and Government ignored it, I was disappointed. Whatever we had to do to ‘save’ Christmas, would be worth it, I thought. After the second NPHET recommendation, the Government took action, and I saw this as a necessary evil to ensure Christmas goes ahead unimpinged. And the early evidence seems to suggest that this action is having the desired effect with Covid case numbers decreasing all over the country, with a few exceptions.

Now Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is suggesting that, so long as this progress continues, the country can expect restrictions to be lifted to Level 2 next month.

And while I am pleased about this as it will allow inter-county travel and family reunions at Christmas, I fear for the effect it will have on case numbers in the new year. With much of the country mingling in pubs, restaurants and shops, there is no doubt that we are headed for much stricter restrictions again sooner rather than later.

As we know, when case numbers rise, so do the number of deaths. So what do we do? Forfeit our future freedom for a final fling, or accept that there is nothing normal about this year

and curtail our Christmas splurge in the interest of saving lives?

For there is no joy in being responsible for further deaths.

S Kelly, Naas, Co. Kildare.

In tribute to Mr Fisk

IN his book ‘Pity The Nation’, Bob Fisk refers to being a ‘constant visitor to the Irish UN battalions in southern Lebanon’, being with Irish troops in the hills, observing the Israeli sustained militia enclave on Lebanese territory and beyond towards Israel itself.

He also writes, with empathic insight, about his attendance at the funeral, in Galway, of Pte Stephen Griffin killed by the aforementioned militia, in 1980. All of which said much about his esteem for Irish soldiers, a respect that was mutual.

This outstanding journalist, who was uncompromising in his commitment to uncovering reality

and truth, was always generous in sharing his observations and experiences with those of us who serve or have served on ‘overseas missions’. His ever challenging views contributed much to Defence Forces thinking on the conduct of peacekeeping operations. For such contributions he will be greatly missed and be a loss to future generations of our peacekeepers. May he rest in peace.

Michael Gannon, (Colonel retired), Kilkenny city.

SF must take blame

THE Government and NPHET are not responsible for the spread of the Covid virus. It spread because people flouted the rules.

SOME young people flouted the rules. SOME old people flouted the rules. SOME politicians flouted the rules. SOME media figures flouted the rules.

The Sinn Féin organisation flouted the rules, North and South.

Pat O’Mahony, Westport, Co. Mayo.