Fergus Finlay: It's inequality, not disability, that is holding back people like Calum Geary

Ireland doesn't merely tolerate inequality for people with disabilities — it insists on it. We need to cop ourselves on, listen to the Geary family, and end this shameful stupidity

When twins Calum and Donnacha Geary and their dad Andrew appeared on 'The Late Late Show' in April, all three clearly articulated the difficulties Calum faces — not due to his deafness, but to prejudice and structural inequality. Picture: RTÉ

Andrew Geary is a garda with a distinguished record. He’s a patriot, willing to do anything in the line of duty for his country. He and his wife, Helen, have four fine-looking sons, and they are a resilient and strong family.

And he is battling what seems like insuperable odds, on behalf of one of his sons. He often says publicly — and said it to the Irish Examiner last April again — "I love my country, and I can’t understand why my country doesn’t love my son".