Take the horror out of Halloween

SURELY it’s time to call a halt to the outrageous exploitation of Halloween?

Not so long ago it was a time for games with apples on a string, barm brack, pumpkin faces — a bit of fun on the night before All Saints’ Day.

Now, in what appears to be a market-driven rush to part us parents from our money, after back-to-school but before Christmas, there are all kinds of ugly things for sale in the shops.

And no, it’s not being a spoilsport to decry it. Many children are genuinely disturbed by these images. Why are we encouraging our children to dress up as devils and the like?

What we feed into children’s minds will come back out again.

Have we lost all sight of the responsibility to encourage wholesome fun among the young and to discourage what is depraved?

Please tell your retailer you are not happy with the pile of Halloween props he or she is offering for sale.

Micheál Ó Fearghail

Sallybrook House

Glanmire

Co Cork