Day of mourning - Taoiseach should listen to the nation

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has seriously misjudged the mood of the nation by refusing to declare a national day of mourning to mark the demise of Pope John Paul II.

The decision should be rescinded in acknowledgement of the overwhelming yearning by people to nationally mourn, as a family, the passing of the Pontiff who was spiritual leader to the majority of the population.

John Paul’s funeral takes place on Friday, with the Taoiseach conceding the inadequate compromise of what he has termed a “period of official mourning”.