Better instincts

At the end of a week when our capacity for savagery was underlined in the most graphic ways it is comforting to recognise that our better instincts endure and can prevail.

Stephen Teap, a campaigner in the CervicalCheck screening scandal was named Cork Person of the Year yesterday afternoon.

That, on the very same day, it was announced that Castletownbere RNLI lifeboat crew has been awarded the first RNLI Medal for Gallantry in Ireland in a decade must also speak to our better instincts.

The lifeboat is being honoured for the rescue of a crew in extremely challenging conditions.

The six fishermen were on the 25-metre vessel, Clodagh O might not be alive today but for the selfless courage of the RNLI crew.

They launched their vessel darkness into a force 9 gale to rescue the fishermen whose vessel had lost all power after their propeller became fouled on their fishing gear.