European colonialists were illegal migrants

My hat goes off to Victoria White (Irish Examiner, April 23) for pointing out the hypocrisy in Europe’s stance on ‘illegal’ migration.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, many Europeans arrived in Africa, and elsewhere, as ‘illegal migrants’ — without invitation or papers — and forced the natives to accept them at gunpoint.

The same Europeans settled in those countries, plundered their wealth and exploited their peoples. One wonders what the reaction would be if Somalis or Libyans arrived now in the south of France or Germany, armed to the teeth, planted their flag and took over?

If people are willing to risk horrible deaths in floating rustbuckets, the reality they are escaping from must be truly dreadful. It seems obvious then that the best solution is to improve the quality of life for people where they live, so they won’t want to leave in the first place.

Nick Folley

Ardcarrig

Carrigaline

Cork