Problems for pedestrians

Madam Editor,

My wife and I walked into town this evening (last Thursday) with our baby in a stroller.

The town is currently a challenge to get around with a stroller and has been for some time BUT this evening it was at its worst.

This is a pic I took as we walked into town.

My wife was forced to cross at a bus stop to use the other footpath.

There was no one present to make sure it was a safe crossing.

It was ridiculous and I had to take a picture quickly so I can send it into you guys. Just as I was taking it a bus was approaching the stop. Madam Editor,

I think at this stage, we are all outraged at the continual decline in services in our hospitals and health system in general.

Who cannot be shocked with the ongoing scandals such as the trolley crisis, HSE staff shortages, empty wards, no beds, consultants getting paid to work in our public hospitals but skip off during their shift to work in private hospitals, our deeply flawed mental health service and children with scoliosis sent overseas for surgery - these are to name but a few.

I need to send up a little flag of warning to anyone who is just as disturbed as I at all these scandals - if a referendum is called on repealing the 8th Amendment, please consider very carefully how you will vote.

If our public health system is strained today then it will surely breakdown totally if we are to fund abortion. An abortion costs on average between €550 to €1,550, depending on the gestation of the baby.

Can you imagine what performing abortions in Ireland will cost the taxpayer? Let us all think before we vote.

Yours etc,

Amanda Gallagher Ballisodare, Co. Sligo