Real Ireland alive and well

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting Séamus Sherlock and his family.

Séamus was at the entrance to his West Limerick home, refusing to allow the banks to make his children homeless. Séamus was self-employed; he worked the bog, cutting turf and delivering it to local houses. An EU directive implemented by the Government effectively stopped turf-cutting, even small scale operations like Séamus’s.Although compensation was expected, Séamus has received nothing.

Since then Séamus and his family, reduced in their income, have experienced the ugly side of banks, the ESB and Government. !He is not defaulting and does not believe in doing so. He is trying to pay his debts and has, with patience and privation, cleared one bill after another. But none of this seems good enough for his bank. His stand in protecting his family’s home is peaceful, intelligent, and responsible. It is that of a father doing his best to meet all of his responsibilities.