Forced to emigrate and paying heavy price

In 1956, as an orphan of 16 years of age, deprived of a secondary or third-level education, I was forced to emigrate because my country was unable to provide me, and thousands like me, with employment.

What made that particular situation even more ironic was that I, and many other orphans, were fostered out at the time to keep our local national school open, as it was about to close due to a shortage of pupils. Not one of us orphans received further education even though we helped to keep that school open. Only children with fathers and mothers received further education. Once we were 14 we were turfed out.

Twice within the last 18 months The Irish State Pension Services have reduced my pension because England, where I was forced to emigrate all those years back, slightly raised my pension.

As a child this country let me down and I had to leave without an education. Now as an old man of 73, my Irish pension is cut every time England gives me a small rise.

Shame on them.

Leo Armstrong

Prosperous

Naas

Co Kildare