Father to son — a legacy of death

TWELVE years ago, while pregnant, I wept for the people of Basra, when women, children and their elderly relatives were killed while attempting to flee the city, during a war carried out

Now it's Bush, the son, and no words could describe the awfulness of the sight of the broken bodies of Iraqi babies and children shown on RTE's 'Prime Time' on April 1.

Mothering Sunday, just a few short days earlier. Yet again, some of the mothers of Iraq are losing their sons and daughters, their mothers and fathers, relatives and friends.

Friends 'our friends,' according to the Tánaiste. Is it a coincidence that the Anglo-American invasion force is English-speaking and mostly Christian?

Christian. This is Lent. Christians are attacking Muslims during the Christian holy season while our Government, in my name, is offering a refuelling stop to troops in our 'neutral' country.

Those same troops may, in turn, go on to kill people who live in residential areas in Iraq. Perhaps they already have. I hang my head in shame, as a Christian, mother and citizen.

Máire Ní Laoire,

Grange Vale,

Pinecroft,

Dúglas,

Corcaigh.