Bertie has issues to address here — not in US

THE Taoiseach was quoted recently as saying to the Polish prime minister that the fatal attack on the two young Polish men in Dublin was basically a rare occurrence.

On the same day on RTÉ’s Liveline, and indeed over the three previous days, there were overwhelming anecdotal and eyewitness accounts from listeners that the opposite is actually true.

According to the many contributors to the show, Ireland has actually become a state of fear for a considerable number of people who have been brutally attacked, assaulted, robbed and intimidated on the streets and in their homes.

If Mr Ahern had heard the programme, he would have quickly realised these people were describing the real Ireland:

* Where drugs are rampant and users will kill for the price of a fix.

* Where hardworking, taxpaying parents are afraid to allow their children and teenagers out to play or socialise.

* Where alcohol is poisoning the minds and bodies of our young people and causing death by misadventure.

* Where criminals get free legal aid and justice and their victims get life sentences.

If the Taoiseach is the statesman he purports to be, then his calling would surely prompt him to cancel all foreign engagements for the foreseeable future and stay at home to sort our small, easily-run Atlantic island for the sake of one and all.

Will future generations her say “Ireland crumbled while Bertie Ahern addressed the US Houses of Congress”.

Tom Fitzgerald

Four Roads

Askeaton

Co Limerick