O’Connell has no reason to consider herself betrayed

WITH reference to your article (MoS, May 9) on the upcoming Dublin Bay South by-election in which the reporter writes ‘Kate is a woman betrayed who had cruel intentions’, it is certainly ironic if Ms O’Connell considers herself betrayed after she led the campaign to oust Lucinda Creighton who represented that constituency and whom she claimed was out of step with constituents.

Seemingly she now has difficulty in accepting that she was rejected by those same constituents. She may be described as ‘an independent thinking women’ but did herself no favours when she shouted across the Dáil, taunting pro-life TDs with ‘Ye lost, ye must be hurting’ regarding the abortion referendum.

Perhaps this demonstrates that people expect someone representing them to do so with respect and consideration.

Mary Stewart, Donegal Town.

Save our heritage

PÁDRAIG DE BURCA’S, of the Fairview Residents’ Association, report of 31 Richmond Avenue, Fairview, being in a ‘disgraceful’ state (‘Concerns for 1916 leader’s house in repossession case’, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 9) is yet another shameful example of the lack of protection and care provided by the post Independence Irish State for the physical, historical and architectural heritage of Ireland, including its revolutionary period (1912-1923).

The late 18th century building, which is on Dublin City Council’s Record of Protected Structures, is currently in use as converted apartments.

The Irish State must ensure that no other residence linked to a key participant in the 1916 Easter Rising is destroyed (as The O’Rahilly House was last September) by purchasing the property and restoring it to its former glory as a museum to the memory of its former residents Thomas Clarke and his brotherin-law

Ned Daly, both executed for their part in the Rising, as well as to Clarke’s wife, Kathleen, the first female Lord Mayor of Dublin (1939–41).

Stephen Oliver Murray, Dublin 4.

HSE lost my respect

IN THE event the HSE pays the ransom to swiftly re-open access to medical records, would this mean they would no longer need to tell us they have no account of our written or online engagement with them – often after years of contact? All going to get back to ‘normal’ any day now, is it?

Robert Sullivan, Bantry, Co. Cork.

Our cruel society

IT’S distressing to learn that ducklings costing €5 each are being sold to children by opportunistic sellers who steal them from Dublin canals.

These ducklings are taken from their families and their place in the wild and sold on to individuals who ostensibly lack empathy and insight apropos to their decision in purchasing same. It never ceases to amaze me how benighted people are in this country when it comes to animal welfare.

John O’Brien, Co. Kilkenny.

Get his name right!

SURELY it is not asking too much for reporters and newsreaders on radio and television to correctly pronounce the name of Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer. His name is Dr Tony Holohan and not Dr Tony Hoolohan. Some get it right but most don’t. Why?

Willie Wilson, Waterford city..

Unsurprising crisis

ONE of the ‘surprising’ aspects of recently expressed ‘surprise’ by politicians, economists, commentators, journalists, broadcasters and anyone who takes interest in matters such as the exclusion of even well-paid ordinary people from housing markets is that there should be no surprise.

This is just another example of a new world order of wealth segregation, dividing privileged ‘haves’ from dependent ‘have-nots’.

Corporate feudalism is taking hold on a global scale and increasing numbers must either persuade politicians to do something about it or resign themselves to a future of dependent serfdom.

All recent consolidation of wealth has been made possible by extraordinary advances in science and technology.

As democracy fails to protect increasing numbers of helpless people, extremist politics is raising its ugly head with the potential to destroy what should be the best time ever experienced by the human race.

Padraic Neary, Co. Sligo.

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