The current state of Ireland is a bad reflection of the 1916 proclamation

In the North, West and South of the country, people are leaving their stretches of ground and the population in Ireland is increasing in the East.

A great many workers providing frontline services such as gardai, nurses also suffered as a result of the economic collapse. They are being hit very hard as they tried to grapple with mortgage repayments and negative equity and all of this causes upset and worry.

Food banks afford succour to thousands more while thousands more again suffer more hidden deprivation.

Hundreds of thousands more, who were in a position to, left and sought respite abroad. One would hope as many as possible would come back when they could and when conditions favour them doing so, to live a wholesome happy life again.

A situation has also developed where some groups of workers cannot earn enough to live decent lives as they are kept in the dark about their tenure of work and are obliged to keep difficult work hours.

There are signs that tracts of ground in less populous areas may go into the hands of large scale privately owned operators and in some cases non-national interests.

There are further signs that a British-based corporate headquarters staff and associates will control Irish air space access through control of slots for take off and landing at Heathrow, London, and through control of flights to and from Dublin and London and across the Atlantic.

Evictions and dispossessions of those in mortgage arrears and who are trying to rent are happening or in prospect.

How does all of this reflect on the intent and the spirit of the 1916 Proclamation and heroic rising of Easter?

Tom Ryan

2 The Forts

Dún Bleisce (Doon)

Co Limerick