You are now a Beacon for all that’s wrong in society

THE actions of the powers that be in the Beacon private hospital re the vaccination of the staff of a private school are utterly unacceptable and very nearly the straw that may break the camel’s back.

As a nation, we are exhausted trying to do our best, staying within the guidelines, dealing with the absence of loved ones not to mention the loss of loved ones. Shame on the Beacon for their actions this week. You may be above the law and feel smug in the knowledge that you have looked after your own – nepotism is alive and well.

However, Beacon, hang your collective heads in shame as right is right, and you are now a beacon for all that is wrong in society. You robbed those in need. Shame, shame, shame.

Judy Owens, Co. Galway.

…Why can’t this country do most tasks fairly and honestly like other countries, instead of the cute hoor, nod-and-wink type of attitude exemplified only yesterday by the bosses of the Beacon Hospital in Dublin, who vaccinated 20 teachers and staff of fee-paying St Gerard’s school in Bray who were way down on the priority list for vaccination.

They say spare vaccines were used but then we are told Europe is short of vaccines. Someone higher up the list is denied their chance of the vaccine and the consequences of that are unknown. It could be that some vulnerable person gets coronavirus – but then the boss at the Beacon saw the masters of the Rotunda and the Coombe hospitals do the same sort of thing and get away with it – no sanction, just say sorry.

Dennis Dennehy, Co. Dublin.

Church corner boys

IN A letter with the heading ‘Churches have become like pubs on Good Friday,’ (MoS Letters, March 21) Cork city writer Jimmy Carroll made reference to ‘corner boys’ trying to satisfy their thirst for alcohol.

I wish to remind readers that

the Catholic Church has had no shortage of corner-boy type operators, with such individuals taking advantage of people who were supposedly in their care. Details of such past cases keep rearing their ugly heads and make for sickening consumption.

As well as those going into churches for services, many citizens have been affected by not being allowed to attend sports fixtures and meeting friends for tea/coffee social gatherings. Anyway, those who like to can still do so in churches without the presence of a priest or watch Mass on television or the internet.

Yes, we are living in strange times but they are equally difficult for those of us who do not have a strong urge to attend religious ceremonies. After all, it is just as easy to pray at home or out in the open air and take in the fresh air and the joys of nature.

Eric Rice, Navan, Co. Meath.

Yearning for hurling

DESPITE the perennial debate and many raised voices against, springtime 2021 has just seen the time spring forward one hour, earlier today.

In the context of the scattered and unforgiving ‘debris’ of the past 12 months, how I wish, for this one time only, that the calendar could have been moved forward one year when, even irrespective of Kilkenny’s participation, I would be on the road to a hurling match at the concluding stages of the National Hurling League 2022.

Michael Gannon, Kilkenny city.

A reminder to SF

KINSALE, Co. Cork scribe Noel Harrington has been amusing himself with regular letters to the Irish Mail on Sunday and in his assumed role as spokesman for Sinn Féin, his offering of March 21 suggested that Tánaiste Leo Varadkar should step aside after his recent alleged leak.

The ‘Rebel Rouser’ offered the opinion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been burying his head in the sand.

Despite the faults that the two criticised leaders may have, there is no record of either ever attending the funeral of a terrorist.

So, Mr Harrington, please put that fact in your pipe and smoke it!

Willie Wilson, Waterford city.

We earn our corn

IF MR O’BRIEN is of the opinion that farmers are receiving ‘free money’ from Brussels (MoS Letters, March 21) why does he not train to become a farmer, buy a farm and avail of this ‘free money’ as well? Then, on walking a mile in farmers’ Wellingtons, he may find himself of the opinion that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Mary King, Connemara, Co. Galway.

Write to: Your Letters, Irish Mail on Sunday, Embassy House, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Email: letters@mailonsunday.ie including your name, address and telephone number