A little empathy can help save our society

THE release of the Childline figures demonstrates, once again, that there are endemic, long-term problems within Irish society which reveal an almost cultural lack of empathy, for children, for the vulnerable, and the distressed.

The manner in which successive governments have indemnified both themselves, as the State, and the Church, with regard to the horrific abuses perpetrated within state and Church institutions, and outside, demonstrates that lack of empathy. The “North Cork Ten” case also demonstrates that lack of empathy.

The Christy Smith case demonstrates a systemic lack of empathy in many state institutions. Rachel Peavoy’s death, earlier this year, the inquest into her death, and its findings, also reveals this lack of empathy. The “rape” jokes by Corrib gardaí last month reveal that lack of empathy. The willingness of the Government to force the Irish people to pay the debts of the bankers shows that lack of empathy. Only when honesty and empathy prevails in all institutions of power, and thus flows forth throughout society, and is met by the same at the grass roots, will the Irish people be in a position to provide for their children a future that is decent, abundant, balanced and psychologically healthy.