Irish Examiner view: Mixed memories at closing of the year

As the year ends, it is appropriate to give some thought to who we have lost over the past 365 days

We were not prepared for the horrendous war unleashed by Russian president Vladimir Putin. Picture: Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

New Year’s Eve is traditionally a day for looking both backwards and forwards, and as we stand on the threshold of 2023, we can reflect on events which took us by surprise to remind us of John Lennon’s aphorism that “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”.

Viewed from the perspective of December 31 last year, there are matters which would be very familiar. Then, as now, there was considerable concern about climate change. Then, as now, we were hugely exercised by Covid-19, with its potential to destroy lives, economies, and morale.