There was hardly a week that went by this past year without reference in the media to the sad and continually declining state of the Defence Forces.
However, the most deplorable narrative of all was written by the Defence Forces itself in the Independent Review Group’s findings, published last March, of a variety of abuses perpetrated, especially on female members. This was a totally self-inflicted mutilation that Lt Gen Sean Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, said left him ashamed.
In this, he echoed the shame and devastation of those who are currently serving, and have in the past served, with honour and dignity but who were left, in the public mind, tarred with the same brush as the small percentile who wreaked criminal havoc on fellow members.
Despite this dark shadow, Defence Forces personnel continued to carry out their duties professionally at home, such as in the ‘storming’ of a cargo ship, off the Irish coast in September, with a €157m haul of cocaine, the largest drugs capture in the history of the State.
And abroad, in places such as the Lebanese-Israeli border referenced in the past week by an Israeli war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, threatening war there on a second front against the Iranian-backed militia, Hezbollah, for launching rocket barrages into Israel.
So let us be mindful of the integrity and loyalty of the ‘good men and good women’ referenced by Lt Gen Clancy last March.
Michael Gannon, Saint Thomas Sq, Kilkenny City
No room for Tubs in Cork on Sundays
Derry O’Callaghan, has been an integral part of the fabric of growing up in Cork and it is very easy to understand how his popularity has grown with his listeners over the years, as his show is infectious.
His banter is the perfect fit for us, The more often you listen, the more addicted you are to the craic from Derry, and the sounds that he plays.
If you move around from house to house in Cork on a Sunday between 10am and 2pm, the people of Cork will largely have the same sounds playing at each location. It is synonymous with Sunday in the county.
I think that this is a terrible decision being made by the owners/producers of the station and I for one will NOT be listening to their station while Ryan Tubridy is on the air. If there is a place for Ryan Tubridy, it is not in Cork on Sunday mornings.
Andre Desmond, Cork
Is Government not watching Gaza?
Dear Government of Ireland, I just wanted to check if you are still there in 2024 as you have ignored my previous emails. I am watching a massacre happening in real time. Are you?
There are no concerns of state or geopolitical alliances that trump calling out genocide. Is this how you would have reacted during the last Holocaust?
I am a 71-year-old Irish grandmother, and I am weeping for the world my grandchildren are inheriting, and for the children in Gaza who are dying and will never inherit anything but pain.
Do you weep or ever think of the suffering of these dead, orphaned and maimed children and their parents and families?
Do not say you are doing your best because, if you are, I have not noticed and it clearly is not working. I am marching, I am writing to politicians, I am weeping! I am not alone.
But where are you? You who claim to be our representatives. You ignore our letters, you say you care but you do nothing to stop this slaughter. Are you listening really?
Children are dying of hunger, of bombs, of white phosphorus and we still do not impose sanctions, report the war crimes or cease diplomatic relations with the country that is causing this horror.
It is time you acted on our behalf. Call it for what it is, a genocide of the people of Palestine. They are now being starved just as we once were by our oppressors. Do not let that happen on your watch. I for one will never forgive it.
Olivia O’Sullivan, Cobh, Cork
Exploitative films taking the Mickey
It sounded like a bit of a ‘Mickey Mouse’ story and it was, although only an early version.
The copyright on the 1928 short film, Steamboat Willie, has expired and people are able to make their own version although the original work seems so simple. It’s where Disney started from, not the modern high action, song and dance stories that children want so they shouldn’t be too afraid.
The real concern is that a number of characters will become available and there may be cheap, even dubious or inappropriate versions that appear. We don’t want our childhood memories trashed nor the current generation of children seeing rubbish.
Let the artists create new characters and a new world of imagination for everyone.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
Alcohol will always be a dangerous drug
Since we lost our son, David, to suicide, with alcohol a contributing factor, we, his parents, have campaigned for tighter controls on the price availability and promotion of alcohol. The latest attempt by the alcohol industry to drum up sales over the Christmas period by advertising their product as the “unofficial sponsor of St Stephen’s Day” reminded me of their pathetic Arthur’s Day campaign. As for those who are partaking in the ad, maybe they should have a long hard look at the product they are promoting, a mind-altering, carcinogenic drug. It may be legal but it is still harmful.
John Higgins, Ballina, Co Mayo
Greed, not people, is the real enemy
As the new year dawns, could we make a resolution to do all in our power to contribute to peaceful methods of conflict resolution? More fighting will only result in yet more heartbreak and more recruits to the armed forces on both sides. It is important to recognize, as Tara Brach says, that people are not the enemy — it is the forces of greed, hatred, and delusion that we must address. We need to work for a peaceful resolution in Gaza, including an immediate ceasefire, the return of hostages, and immediate humanitarian aid. And as a first step, could we allow planes with humanitarian aid to pass through Shannon, but desist from supporting US military planes by allowing them to refuel there?
Elizabeth Cullen, Kilcullen, Co Kilkenny
