What would independence fighters think of our State?

FOR all the bugle blowing and solemnity we will witness this year as we celebrate 100 years of hard-won independence, we perhaps need to reflect on the following? Would the people who won our independence be proud of what we did with it?

I am sure the brave men and women who sacrificed much for our freedom would see that our citizens are not currently being well served.

The Ireland of 2022 can best be reflected in the following statistics: Some 111,000 families, that is to say 200,000 children, rely on a back-to-school allowance. Up to 660,000 of our citizens live in poverty, 137,000 of whom are politely referred to as ‘the working poor’.

Around 781,000 of our citizens are experiencing deprivation, of which 250,000 are children.

And 900,000 of our people are on hospital waiting lists, of which 96,000 are children.

Many of our citizens cannot aspire to owning a home.

Is this a civilised society? Is it even a society? I am certain that those who won our freedom would be disappointed with what we have done with it.

Gerard Corrigan, Castletroy, Co. Limerick.

Stick up for women!

EVERY woman has the right to walk or jog our streets, highways or byways, unhindered by attacks from males. All political parties must endorse this basic principle.

Recent killings and the disgraceful rise of domestic abuse over the past years highlights the need to stop these cowardly thugs and their repulsive behaviours.

We need to treat women as our equals in the workplace, with equal pay and conditions, and never treat them in ways that limit the life of another human being, by standing up for each other at all times.

Noel Harrington, Kinsale, Co. Cork.

Golfgate slams shut

IT CAME as no real surprise to me to hear that a judge has dismissed charges against the defendants in the recent trial, apropos of the Oireachtas Golf Society event.

I can’t help but think back on all those people who, at that time, found themselves stuck in their houses/flats, juggling restless children, allied to the constant Zoom meetings etc.

I also think of all those poor souls who showed up for their essential jobs at that time, as cleaners, delivery drivers and nurses, often with scant childcare support, and a constant worry of being exposed to the virus.

These were unquestionably very tense times for many of our citizens because of the sacrifices that were made, some large and some small.

It was reported that some people who were quite ill, attempted at that time to cobble together home-schooling programmes for their children while at the same time, these people were also deprived of the support of extended family.

The rules around nursing home visits, funerals etc. was quite draconian too.

It’s my contention that the toll on people has undoubtedly been significant.

As a private citizen, I found the optics of Golfgate to be nothing short of appalling,

While the vast preponderance of us adhered to Covid-19 rulings, we had a group of elitists who deemed it worthy to organise this golf event and a judge who latterly saw fit to dismiss all of the charges.

I now think of those citizens who, at that time, paid their fines for transgressing the restrictions over Covid-19.

Paradoxically, these partygate defendants have now had their cases against them expunged, giving rise to what many people feel in this country apropos to there being one law for us and another law for them.

John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

Real rugby legend

MANY Irish sports supporters were saddened to hear of the passing of rugby legend Tom Kiernan this week.

The Corkman played for, and coached, teams during times when only players born on this island were allowed to don the green jersey.

Now, the rules permit players to represent a nation a few months after beginning to line out for a club or province there.

In my book, the grandparent eligibility rule for soccer makes a lot more sense.

For me, the rugby rule is a turnoff from supporting the so-called ‘national team’.

Also in the oval ball game, internationals became test matches in the last few years. What snobbery!

Willie Wilson, Waterford city.