GOAL chief needs a history lesson on Ireland’s debt to America

GOAL’s John O’ Shea was on radio and television during the week decrying our Government’s gesture in allocating e1 million and sending some 30 members of the Irish defence forces to help with the relief efforts in New Orleans.

“I feel that the response is inappropriate,” he said. “We could have sent a letter; we could have made a phone call; we could perhaps have sent our ministers to turn up perhaps at the funerals of some of the dead.”

Yea, the Yanks would really have appreciated it if we sent Bertie Ahern over to wade into the flood in New Orleans to have his photograph taken like he did when the Tolka overflowed! The Americans asked for help, but O’Shea rubbished the idea because the United States is the richest country in the world. “They are awash with billionaires,” he said. “It is inappropriate for us to be sending money. It’s not something one does.”