Government let vultures snap up our housing stock

THIS Government should be ashamed of itself for allowing the plunder of our housing stock by these vulture funds, causing unforeseen poverty in years to come. Tenants will retire and find they are unable to afford the high rents these vultures are asking – they will be turned out on the streets with nowhere to go and no equity for care homes. This Government can’t see beyond its next pay cheque and is selling off our island bit by bit to foreign companies who are not free to do in their own country what they are doing here.

The Government should hang its head in shame as the damage it is doing now will take decades to recover from. God help the younger generation because this Government won’t.

Anthony Lafford, Glasnevin North, Dublin 11.

Rip-off Republic

I WAS amused to read that luxury hotels in Ireland have cut their prices. A three-night stay in the Westin in Dublin costs €1,000 – the Westin in Berlin for the same three nights costs €469.

Brianan McBride, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Mindfulness works

AT LAST, someone who can explain mindfulness in its entirety. Your columnist Dr Sheena Burke (MoS, May 2) has really explained how we can end lockdown without all of the drama and fuss that has been circulated in all types of media for the past 18 months or so.

Don’t get me wrong, I know how devastating Covid-19 was for everyone and especially those who lost family members – let’s not forget about those for one minute. But lately, with vaccinations on the menu and the country opening up, it’s really like a new beginning.

I have been at home for three lockdown sessions and that is tough, believe me. I went for a walk every day, sometimes twice, regardless of whether it was inclement or not. That saved my bacon, and my sanity.

Reading Dr Burke’s piece last Sunday was such a breath of fresh air, almost as good as the vaccine for me.

By indulging and embracing mindfulness, we can find a new way of living. It was there all the time, but maybe we never knew about it and its positive consequences.

Now, I look out the window at the spring that is with us now and summer just around the corner. The daffodils have come and gone, so it’s the turn of something else to observe, like the swallows, who are the harbinger of brighter warmer days to come. The trees are getting greener, flowers starting to pop their heads up over the ground and so on.

There are signs all around us and we need to embrace those signs that nature is putting our way.

There is a ‘spring’ in my step nowadays after reading and understanding this new-found positive emotion.

Keep up the good work, Dr Burke.

P Browne,

Co. Cork.

Soccer is the loser

SO, THE final of this year’s socalled ‘European Champions League’ competition will be battled out by two teams from the ‘wonderful’ English Premier League, namely Manchester City and Chelsea. But the number of English-born players may be counted on the fingers of one hand. It was so different back in the 1960s when Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United triumphed. In those times soccer was more of a sport and less of a ruthless business dominated by money-grabbers. The modern game is a turn-off for many. God be with the good old days!

Eric Rice, Navan, Co. Meath.

India’s empty cup

MY HEART at this time goes out to the lovely people of India as they battle with Covid-19.

It’s harrowing to hear of these poor souls dying in such a way.

When I presently think of India and if I were asked now if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my response at this moment would be to say that I am presently grateful to just have a cup.

John O’Brien, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny.

Covid weight gain

I CAN’T help wondering about something – actually it’s bothering me an awful lot recently. You see, I made my hair appointment – the first in 22 weeks – and then the penny dropped.

The reason for the ‘Covid stone’ – 22 weeks of hair on my head. Sure it’s been weighing me down, carrying it around for so long.

Can’t wait to visit my hairdressers and bring the scales with me to prove my point.

Bernie Kirwan, Gorey, Co. Wexford.