Letters to the Editor: Simon Harris should not link protests to bomb hoax

A reader says when Simon Harris put his name forward for the job, he signed up for the protesting as much as the more desirable elements

Taoiseach Simon Harris. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The statements of Simon Harris in relation to the hoax bomb threat on his home are mostly correct. 

It is unacceptable behaviour to make such a threat against anyone.

Thankfully we have laws which will allow us to prosecute the person who made the threat — if they can be identified — and gardaí who were able to respond quickly to protect Mr Harris and his family. 

I’m glad that it was a hoax and that he and his family are safe.

However, his attempt to link this behaviour to peaceful protesting outside politicians’ homes is ridiculous. 

They are completely different situations. 

One is an explicit threat on the lives of Mr Harris and his family, and the other is merely the presence of people near his home. 

There is no logical connection between the two. 

He might dislike both, but that does not mean that they are linked.

I also found that his comment that “it wouldn’t be described as a protest” if it was outside someone else’s home demonstrates that he is extremely out of touch with reality.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Protests happen outside people’s homes all the time. 

Speak to any local council and you will find that they have a long list of complaints from people who had protesters near their homes.

That doesn’t mean those weren’t protests, because being in the vicinity of a home isn’t what defines a protest.

Furthermore, protesting outside politicians’ homes has been going on for some time now.

His predecessor Leo Varadkar was subjected to it over the course of his tenure as Fine Gael party leader and Taoiseach, and that fact was very well known.

When Mr Harris put his name forward for the job, he signed up for the protesting as much as the more desirable elements of the job.

Thomas Forde

Cork City

Dashcams should be made compulsory

In reference to the article on Irish roads being unsafe due to a ‘deterioration’ in driver behaviour (Irish Examiner, June 27).

Why are dashcams front and rear not compulsory on all vehicles? 

Surely drivers who take dangerous risks on the roads may think about not doing so, knowing that other vehicles will have it on camera.

Cameras would be a huge help to the likes of the gardaí, who are always looking for dashcam footage from the public.

As a HGV driver on the road, it’s very noticeable the amount of people on the phone talking or texting, especially the younger drivers.

Timmy O’Keeffe

Broadford, 

Co Limerick

Hollow experience of city for the elderly

In the rush to pedestrianise Cork City, one important group of people are being forgotten. 

I’m talking about the elderly who, for generations, have gone to town often on the bus to shop in the market, meet friends, and often drop into city-centre churches to light a candle.

This group is often unable to hop on a bike or walk a distance to do any of the old traditional activities. 

They are being excluded as are many people who have mobility issues.

The city centre is being hollowed out in their absence.

Antisocial behaviour has been allowed to flourish. 

Aggressive cyclists on pavements and e-scooters are a constant hazard.

Many of the so-called improvements have become theatres for bad behaviours. 

The Mary Elmes Bridge is a case in point.

The built environment of the city is falling down in many of the historic areas of the city so perhaps the city council need to diversify their approach to create a living city.

Everybody has the right to enjoy the facilities of our city young and old. 

The closure of St Patrick’s Street this summer will be a terrible loss.

Patricia Pope

Model Farm Road, 

Cork

I’ll give Swift a miss

The only ‘Swift’ I care about is the valiant little cousin of the swallow!

I almost pity the millions of stupid people who part with millions, just to look up at a conventionally body-suited Taylor Swift stomping around a stage. 

Madonna’s ‘Blond Ambition’ tour outshone future concerts when Swift was only four months old!

Women like Swift aren’t feminist, or even cultural icons for their fans. 

Their ‘intelligent’ strategies have most likely been thought out for them by their handlers.

Taylor Swift.

If even the ‘hard power’ of female leaders can’t prevent gender inequality, then Swift’s exploitation of her (largely) female fans won’t do this.

It’s even sadder to think that those who blindly flock to join a faceless multitude of fans won’t have anyone to bury them when they die. 

This won’t bother the exploitative Swift, whose skills aren’t as indispensable as those of a nurse, teacher, etc.

Just how much money, and ego is enough? 

Why do people belittle themselves by paying obscene amounts of money just to watch another human being on stage? 

It’s hard to believe that there’s a rental crisis when people are willing to pay €45 on a silly T-shirt!

Dr Florence Craven

Bracknagh, 

Co Offaly

Kneecap will prove to be a hit

Esther McCarthy lists nine great movies to watch this summer, but surprisingly omitted the Irish sensation that’s about to hit the big screen.

And no, I’m not referring to The Watched, an excellent fantasy horror movie set in Ireland with Dakota Fanning and our own Olwen Fouéré, but a breakout Irish language film from Northern Ireland.

Kneecap won the prestigious Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah earlier this year and will have its Irish premier at the Galway Film Fleadh next month where it will open the festival before hitting cinema screens across the country in August.

Rich Peppiatt, Michael Fassbender, and Kneecap attend the UK premiere of 'Kneecap', the opening film of the Sundance London Film Festival, at the Picturehouse Central Cinema, London. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire

The story of the real-life hip-hop band, who play themselves in the film, Naoise, Liam Óg, and their teacher JJ become the unlikely figureheads of a type of civil rights movement to save their mother tongue in post-Troubles West Belfast.

Rapping in their native language, the hedonistic and rebellious group promises to be the movie and musical sensation of the summer.

And with Kerry’s own Michael Fassbender playing the paramilitary father on the run, Kneecap will have us chomping at the bit in support of our unlikely heroes.

The film is written, produced, and directed by Rich Peppiatt.

Tom McElligott

Tournageehy, 

Listowel, 

Co Kerry

Politicians say they are not motivated by money

Interesting how many politicians tell us they are “not motivated by money” — yet very few turn down salary increases.

I suggest fewer still decline “expenses”, in fact the majority ensure they claim every cent they are entitled to.

I have no problem with that. This is their right. But please do not tell us you are not motivated by money.

Many elected representatives now want to sit in the European Parliament.

Why not? They have higher salaries and higher expenses, with additional allowances.

Let us not forget the pension.

Also severance payments: it was reported an MEP having served one term will receive a payout in excess of €400,000. 

In short, a great income.

Some might say “nice gravy train”.

Michael A Moriarty

Rochestown, 

Cork