A cry for help

Last night, our local group left town on our latest training spin. It’s coming close to the business end of the season now, as sportifs arrive thick and fast. The group will be split up for a few weeks, as targeted events are attempted.  We have one member heading off to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Spain, while others, like me, will attempt the Wicklow 200 others will take on the Ring of Kerry. It will be our Olympic games, or our TDF and it will define whether all the hard winter miles and effort have been worth it.

As a consequence of our new found fitness and the final arrival of summer, speeds have increased, efforts are prolonged and the talking has been replaced by long periods of silence and gasping for breath. With this new speed and commitment, comes danger. There is the danger of a fall, a crash, which could lead to serious injury. As a result, everybody has their own insurance and as the group is vastly experienced, there is a great deal of trust in each other. Nothing is left to chance as speeds of 60kph are regularly reached.

Like any sport, the thought of “what if” sometimes enters your mind. I asked this question of one of the greatest sprinters in the world and winner of 3 Grand Tour stages, Carrick man Sam Bennett. He told me that while you think about it potentially happening, the threat of a crash is one of the hazards of his job. However, even at his level, he told me how you rely on the other riders to be safe, capable and sensible. So, that small group of riders on Tuesday and Thursday nights have something in common with a top level pro.

Take a look at most cyclists and you’ll see scars, bruises and cuts, a reminder when things went awry and went wrong. The evidence is obvious and normally means hospital, stitches and in some cases, much more.

It’s an injury that you can see and sometimes, people are more worried about their bike and how they will keep the repair bill secret from their better half, than their own health. “I’ll recover, but the credit card won’t” is a regular excuse.

Sometimes, an injury isn’t all that obvious however. Not all injuries require stitches and not all are visible to the naked eye. I’m talking here about mental health and how important it is in our lives.

A few weeks ago, I listened to a mother speaking on local radio. Sometimes, you hear a story that roots you to the spot and leaves an indelible mark. It was a Friday morning, the sun was shining and rather than being outside enjoying it, this lady was sitting in a hospital ward with her 14 year old daughter. The child has serious physiological problems, but services are shut down at the weekend and beds are not available. So, while the rest of us went about our business, enjoying our weekend with friends and family, this woman held her daughter’s hand, as that’s what parents do. At the end of her tether, she reached out on a radio station, pleading for help.

I spoke to a good friend recently, who suffered the ultimate loss, that of her brother. My friend has been very courageous in telling me her story, as her family struggle with the void in their lives that can never be filled. Her brother went to the hospital and asked them to keep him, but they sent him away, with a date for an appointment with the relevant services. A week later, he had taken his own life, still waiting for his appointment date. A young man, with a life ahead of him, taken way ahead of his time.

In April 2005, the entire country was shocked, when a young mother, Sharon Grace walked into the water in Kaats Strand, Co Wexford, with her children Mikahla (4) and Abby (3). The young separated mother was in distress and called to Ely Hospital on a Saturday evening asking to speak to a social worker. The receptionist working there told her that there was nobody available to talk, until Monday. The bodies were removed from the water the following morning.

Between January 2000 and April 2010, 196 children known to the HSE lost their lives. A further examination of the figures, give the following statistics, that 36 children in care; 32 children and young people in after care and 128 children who were known to child protection services died.

In my research for this article, I came across multiple reports and press releases of more tragedies, some too upsetting to read, let alone write about. One of the saddest comments came from a coroner, who declared that in these tragic situations, the parents believe that they are taking their children to a “better place” and that some people cannot bear the pain and believe that their loved ones would be better off without them.

We are parents of a 12 year old boy. His friend’s dad took a gang of them to the cinema last Friday night. For the first time in years, we found ourselves home alone, waiting for him to be dropped back. Our house was so quiet without him and we commented that even if you’re only giving out to him, or he’s being cheeky, a child is what makes a house a home. When he arrived home, there was a relief in us both, because I genuinely don’t think we could cope without him.

Mental health services in Ireland are at a crisis point. A&E departments are struggling to cope with people, presenting themselves with mental issues. Services have been seriously curtailed over recent years, meaning the closure of many units and a “re-organisation” of available resources. A typical closure was St Michaels Psychiatric Unit, based in Clonmel, in 2012.

We have a huge alcohol problem in Ireland, which is feeding the mental health problem. We have people in huge swathes of society that do not understand addiction and the problems it creates.

Mental Health Services and the lack of are very quickly becoming a huge issue in rural Ireland and will undoubtedly become an election issue. People are getting tired of being told that we are in a state of recovery, while basic services are denied to the most vulnerable.

You would have to wonder about a society where a person can get access to treatment having fallen off their bike, quicker than a person who wants to end their life.

On June 9^th, there will be a march in Clonmel, demanding a restoration of mental health services. “Tipperary Fights for Mental Health” was set up in an effort to restore the services and have already had high profile meetings.

This is a time for people to pull together and fight for those that may not have any fight left to give. Only recently, we have stood up and showed our outrage, following the mistreatment of animals and quite rightly so. The majority of people in this country went to the polls last week and voted for better rights for women. Agree or don’t agree, the people spoke out in overwhelming numbers. We now have a duty to show the same compassion for people who are struggling with mental health issues.

Please, don’t suffer alone and please reach out to somebody. Everybody needs to get out on June 9^th and march in Clonmel, to demand the proper services and that when a person does reach out, those services will be readily available.

My sincerest thanks to Caroline for her honesty and openness in compiling this article.

Below is a link to a recent interview Caroline did on Tipp FM radio. Well worth a listen:

http://www.mixcloud.com/TippFM/caroline-on-lack-of-supports/

 

 

Change is coming

So, in the aftermath of the repeal the 8th referendum, the fallout continues, blame games are played, political recriminations continue, certain sections crawl back under their rocks and of course, this is Ireland, so expect a fine helping of nonsense.

I voted Yes in the referendum. I am a strong believer in human rights and I consider those rights as fundamental in any society. In particular, I believe that a woman, any person in fact, should have full autonomy over their own body. It was also my small objection to the collusion between church and state, which has blighted the history of our country. I also objected to some of the tactics used by the NO campaign, which were in my mind, disgusting and at times, downright sickening.

I didn’t celebrate when the exit poll was published on Friday night, I don’t know anybody that did.

One of the things that surprised me the most however, was the size of the majority. All the predictions and opinion polls, had it much closer, with some even predicting a 50 – 50 result. Allowing an error margin of +/- 1%, it could have gone either way. I don’t think anybody expected 66.4% – 34.6%, being the final result.

I wonder how much of the final result was a “protest vote” though, I wonder how many voters are fed up with the status quo in Ireland and saw this as an opportunity to give the establishment a bloody nose. Has anybody noticed the following trend?

In 2011, Ireland was on its knees, following an economic catastrophe, caused by political and regulatory ineptitude. Ireland’s international reputation was in ruins, its financial sovereignty lay in tatters and most tragically, its people were disillusioned and weary.

Irish people went to the polls on March 11th and returned Fine Gael with one of the biggest majorities in the history of the state. They were returned with a massive 76 seats, taking over 36% of the vote.

The Labour party, had a record breaking campaign too, where they increased their seats by 17, to a record 37 and 19% of the vote. A coalition was formed between the two parties, taking with them the hopes and the biggest mandate in the history of the state.

We were advised that “hard decisions” would be required to fix the public purse and that the medicine for our “partying” would be difficult. We were also assured of a new way in doing things and that Ireland would soon be “the best small country in the world to do business”. Spin doctors drew up a “contract with the people” and we had 5 point plans. However, any improvements were slow in finding their way down to a beleaguered working class.

In 2014, Irish people returned to the polls again, this time for the local elections. It was a wipe out for the two parties, where Labour lost 81 seats, while Fine Gael lost 105. The mandate they had been given by the Irish people had been squandered and people had revenge on their minds. The Labour party were accused of forgetting their core principles and their core support.

February, May 22nd, 2015 was when Ireland next went to the polls. This time, it was the Thirty fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland at stake. The “marriage equality referendum”, would be decisive once again and a snapshot at a new, emerging, modern Ireland. With a church, which was rapidly losing influence getting involved and certain sections of society, warning against change, a new and younger Ireland went to the polls. The referendum was passed by 62% – 38%, causing wide spread jubilation and celebration. A new emerging Ireland was awakening.

In next general election in 2016, was a further wipe-out for the two parties. Fine Gael lost 16 seats, while Labour had a catastrophic campaign, losing 26 seats, with some of their most high profile candidates stumbling over the line.

Ireland ended up in a situation of a hung Dáil, where a government could not be successfully formed. Following extensive negotiations, an unlikely partnership between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil was formed. A “confidence and supply” agreement was formed in an effort to form a government, with stability and the “good of the country” at its core. Many people saw it as a desperate attempt to hold onto power, at any cost.

In the meantime, Ireland seems to have stumbled from one crisis to another. High profile cases of ineptitude in our national Police force, the horrific recent revelations of misdiagnosed cancer screening and an apparent culture of cronyism, seems to be wearing thin with a new, younger electorate.

Former politicians have walked off with gilt edged pensions, while many questions remain unanswered. Financial regulators have disappeared from view, enjoying similar lavish lifestyles. Bankers, who gambled and lost, walk around with their heads in the air, while the consequences of their malfeasance, sit on the backs of people who are not responsible.

A homeless crisis, Vulture funds, enforced evictions of families, the worry of Brexit and the catastrophic health system remain some of the most pressing issues any government will face. Many people doubt their ability to address the problems.

In the UK, Theresa May went to the country in an attempt to show a strong government, in the face of Brexit. It backfired spectacularly and she relied on the unlikeliest of bed-mates, the DUP, in Northern Ireland, to hold onto power.

In France, an emerging National front party, lead by Marine Le Pen, commanded 34% of the vote in the last Presidential election in 2017.

In Spain, people were horrified earlier this year, at the brutality inflicted by the establishment, on protestors seeking Catalonian independence.

Even in Germany, an emerging AfD party, representing a hard right, earned their first ever seats in parliament, casting a shadow over Angela Merkel’s government.

I haven’t mentioned developments in the US, where even Donald Trump himself was surprised at his election. Social and economic problems, international isolation and domestic issues such as healthcare, immigration and gun control, seem to be adding to a more inward thinking America.

So, with a groundswell of change occurring right across the world, why would Ireland be any different?

Certain sections of our society don’t like it and there is regular scaremongering, in an effort to keep people fearful and scared. These sections will not give up without a fight; I believe that we have seen some of their tactics recently. The ballot box seems to be the only place to make feelings known and to keep these sections in check. 125,000 extra people registered to vote in this referendum, making turn out the third highest ever.

So, it looks like a new, young, well educated and fresh faced electorate is emerging. It doesn’t look like they scare easily either and you know what, good luck to them.

A Political Will?

Like all decent people, I was disgusted and sickened at the treatment of a little pony in Clonmel on Wednesday last. To make matters worse, a young woman, with a little baby in her car was subjected to treatment that is unacceptable in any society. The young woman showed huge courage in confronting the situation and should be commended.

Before I go any further, let me make it crystal clear that I have NO political connections, I have NO expertise in animal welfare and I have NO affiliations with any groupings.

I’m just an average Joe soap, who likes animals, nothing more. I’m very active on social media, where I do a bit of blogging and I run my own website. I possess a slight ability to string a few words together at times and I produce a few articles here and there. Some of them work, some don’t, that’s the way this thing goes. Some people like it; others wish I would just shut up and disappear. There isn’t the slightest chance I’ll win a  Pulitzer Prize however.

In a democracy, we entrust our elected representatives to legislate and to operate on our behalf.

Therefore, with a worsening animal welfare situation here on our doorstep, with cases of cruelty endemic and with individuals operating with total impunity, giving two fingers to society, I decided an attempt at measuring the political will in addressing the problem.

So, I devised  an experiment. As Baldrick would say, “I came up with a cunning plan.” I drew up a list of all the councillors and TD’s in Tipperary, composed an email, outlining my concerns on animal welfare and pleaded for immediate action.

The next part of the plan was to forward the email to each and wait for the replies. I got the list of county councillors here [1] and a list of our sitting TD’s here [2]. There were a total of 38 councillors and 5 TD’s, who each got the exact same email. I included my own phone numbers and my full home address, should anybody wish to speak to me in private.

For fairness, I copied the email onto my social media feed as well as my own website.[3]

I wouldn’t tell anybody what my plan was, that’s what made it “cunning”. I would wait 24 hours and measure the responses.

Now, people have been very critical of the authorities in regards to animal welfare in Clonmel. There were dreadful scenes at Christmas, when horses and ponies starved to death, causing national outrage. The powers that be rushed in, promising immediate action, but still, 6 months later, people in Clonmel are witnessing cases of cruelty almost on a daily basis.

So, is there a political will to tackle the problem? Here are the results of my experiment.

Tipperary County Councillors

E-Mails Sent	38
Replies	7
Percentage replies	18%

 

 

Tipperary TD’s

Emails Sent	5
Replies	3 (one reply was automated, so it doesn’t count)
Percentage replies	60%

 

One TD is remaining in close contact and is giving me regular updates on progress. Another TD has given me full details of proposed Prohibition of Sulky Racing Legislation 2018. The bill still hasn’t been heard by the Dáil. I’ve been told of death threats that were made against a TD, following his criticism of a certain section of society.

Some councillors are just as shocked and as disgusted as I am with the events of the last few days. Some of the replies have been very detailed, with offers to meet me, to talk about possible solutions, to look at the way forward and to attempt solutions. Councillors have been unanimous in their strong desire to see this problem sorted.

Other councillors are very active “on the ground” and are getting their hands dirty, doing the practical stuff.

I don’t expect people to be sitting in front of their computers every day, waiting to reply to each and every email immediately. This experiment is in no way meant to be a slight or to be judgemental on anybody. I don’t agree with the constant back biting and criticism of elected representatives either.

It’s very easy to sit at a computer keyboard and criticise, but my opinion is, if you think you can do better, put your name on a ballot paper at the next local elections and knock on a few doors. I hold huge respect for anybody that has the courage to put themselves before the electorate and allow them to judge them.

With that in mind, I would ask people to keep the negativity at bay.

Gardaí have been criticised also, with allegations of a failure to act. I am not a solicitor, but remember this, the law is there to protect “everybody” and any suspected perpetrator of a potential criminal act is “innocent until proven guilty”. Therefore, evidence has to be obtained, investigations completed, statements taken and a final decision has to be made by a Superintendent or Detective, before a file goes to the DPP. This doesn’t happen overnight and be mindful that online comments or statements can very easily jeopardise an entire case. It could be considered “prejudicial trial by media” so be careful making comments on the Garda FB page.

I’ll keep an eye on this thing for a few more days, but one thing is for certain, this is a very big problem, made bigger by some of the individuals we are dealing with.

As for the political will to address the problem, I hope it increases from 18%.

 

[1] https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/your-council/tipperary-county-councillors

[2] http://www.whoismytd.com/constituency/tipperary

[3] http://paullafford.com/my-blog.php

Decision Time

This weekend, Ireland will head to the polls in the Repeal the 8^th referendum. Following a campaign nearly as dirty as a Presidential election, both sides are evenly divided.

However for many people like me, we are asking will it ever be over, as we are sick of it.

Both sides have done a pretty brilliant job in contributing to this malaise and genuine apathy, so on a personal level, can I just say “well done folks, you’ve surpassed yourselves”.

During the campaign, some strange things have happened. The Catholic Bishops have declared that “all human life is worth cherishing equally”, which I found rather puzzling.

Not so long ago, the same organisation protected paedophiles and church run schools were a place of fear and dread for many young Irish children.

In my lifetime, young Irish girls were considered “fallen women” and shunned by society, as church and state conspired against them. The lucky little babies were sold on to wealthy American families, the not so lucky ended up in institutions, where even Stephen King would struggle to write a novel containing such evil.

In my time, I can remember a young girl, having to leave her home. Her “crime”, she got pregnant and the “shame”, was too much for her family. They put their own flesh and blood out of her own home and she went “somewhere” to have her baby, alone and on her own.

I told the story to some young women one day recently and they thought I was making it up.

I can remember a Late Late Show programme, where the host, Gay Byrne produced a condom in front of a shocked studio and television audience. The reaction from the studio and television audience was staggering. If you think I’m joking, watch it here [1]

That’s how far Ireland was behind the rest of the world.

Recently, I spoke to some highly respected people and the topic of the referendum came up in our conversation. One lady told me of “canvassers” who called to a home, with a rubber mock up, of a foetus. They placed it into the hands of the lady who answered the door, remember now, this is at her OWN home.

I heard a story of a lady that opened her door, with her three children alongside. “Which of them would you kill” was the opening question.

If somebody said or did that to me at my home, it wouldn’t end very well for them and that’s putting it mildly.

As I type this article, the news is on. The News Anchor Keelin Shanley has just asked a politician the following question and I quote her verbatim:

“Why should a state have the right to say to a woman, who does not want to be pregnant for whatever reason, rape, incest, whatever, social reasons, financial reasons. Why should the state have the right to say to her, it doesn’t matter what you think, feel or believe, it doesn’t matter about your bodily autonomy, you will proceed with this pregnancy”

To me, this is the crux of the matter, as a woman should have full autonomy of her own body. Should it be a medical issue, it is between that woman and her GP or medical specialist, nobody else. Every available assistance, counselling and service that this state has, should be made available to her. At the end of the day however, she should make her own decisions and nobody, has any right to interfere.

Politicians and Political parties have made the Referendum a political issue, which I don’t agree with. This should NOT be a political issue and politicians should steer well clear of it. Photo shoots of politicians endorsing one vote or the other is wrong and they should do the decent thing and shut up.

It defies logic that next Friday, people will walk into a polling booth and do what a political party told them to do. Issues like this should transcend politics, it’s above it.

I grew up in a time where people were afraid to express their sexuality. Men and women who were unsure of their sexuality were referred to as “queers” or “dykes” and other less flattering terms. Even writing those words is disgusting and I’ve actually considered deleting them. However, we cannot delete our past, because this happened and we can never forget it.

Not too long ago, Ireland was thankfully one of the first countries on earth to recognise same sex marriage and it was a time for huge celebration, as we emerged as a 21^st century nation.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog and spoke on radio of our journey to adopt a little child from Russia, 10 years ago. This fella is the very reason for our existence and every single decision we make is made with him in mind. Remember, in Russia, abortion is legal, but his birth mother made a decision, to give him a chance with life. We will be forever in her debt and as I said before, if we could have one wish, it would be to meet her someday.

Ireland is finally beginning to shake off the shackles of its past, but there are certain parts of our society that are fearful of losing their influence and support. The power is in our hands and as people, we have a duty to use that power.

So, on Friday, make sure you take the few moments to use your vote. It was hard fought for and hard won. Make up your own mind and follow your own heart.

[1] https://www.rte.ie/archives/category/society/2017/0504/872557-condom-controversy/

The “Sam Bennett” effect

Out training with the group last night, all the talk was of a young man from Carrick on Suir, Co.Tipperary, Ireland, who had steamrolled onto the world stage earlier in the day. “I thought he had gone too early”, “jaysus, he’s a great youngfella”, “imagine Kelly and himself on the same team”, “it couldn’t happen to a nicer person”, were some of the comments and observations made.

Sam Bennett had won his second Giro Italia stage in a week and the cycling community in Ireland were just thrilled for him. Sam had displayed awesome power, winning at Imola and the words of Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby “You want power, have some of this“ were still ringing in our ears.

Other talk is about events of the day and it’s actually quite strange, how national issues can be sorted by half a dozen people on bikes. Some talk stays out on the road, a long way out on the road in fact and if it ever came back, the “5^th” would be required.

Once we reach Mushroom Hill, the talking has a tendency to stop. The hill is around 700 metres long, with an average grade of around 6 – 8%. The hill has a tendency to concentrate the mind on other things. There’s your heart rate, pushing into dangerous territory at our age and the gasping for a little bit of air, as you think you can see the top, only for another 50 metres to suddenly appear.

Somebody will always “have a go” at the hill. Immediately, allegations of hidden motors are made, with others resorting to more colourful reactions. Some people declare themselves as asthmatic and of course your bike is always to blame. “This yoke could do with a service”, “Ah, my gearing is wrong”, “I’m not a climber” are some of the excuses for the fact that if we were to be honest, we’re not really all that good at this lark.

Then, there’s the descent on the other side as gravity propels you towards the village of Burncourt in Co. Tipperary. If you’re confident enough, you might afford yourself the occasional glance at your Garmin and sometimes the speed can be a little crazy.

Once it reaches 65 or 70kph, your bike handling skills are tested. The surface is uneven and it’s our little bit of “Paris-Roubaix”. Every bone in your body shakes and now you know why carbon fibre is so expensive, as the frame underneath does its best to absorb the vibrations.

Then, there’s your fancy deep section carbon wheels. They probably cost you the price of a good holiday and you lost the receipt, in case your other half saw how much they really cost. The wheels do their best to throw you off as well, since the smallest breeze seems to affect them, and it always seems to come from one side or the other, just to make it more awkward.

A local dog or cat coming out to introduce themselves doesn’t bear thinking about, so we’ll move on from that.

Oddly enough, one of the things you think about is the fact that if something does go wrong; you hope your bike will be okay. “I’ll recover, the bike will cost a f*cking fortune” is part of the twisted logic in this sport.

Once you’re through the village, there’s the final drag up to the old Cork Road. The heart rate increases once more, before finally, the road levels out, the climbs are over with and the way home comes into view. The sign post assures us that Cahir is 13km away and it’s pan flat the entire way.

Once upon a time, this road was one of the busiest roads in the country, but an adjoining motorway takes all the heavy traffic now. There are big, wide hard shoulders, the surface is perfect and 90% of the time, the “trade winds” are on your back as they sweep through the valley created by the Knockmealdown mountains on one side, the Galtee Mountains on the other.

The old road is ideal for athletes, walkers and cyclists alike. Top level cyclists use the road for motor pacing, there are regular TT efforts, tractors are chased (when the health and safety brigade are otherwise engaged), children learn the basics in road safety and you’ll always meet somebody out and about. On the off chance of something going wrong, you’re never far from home.

Then, of course, there’s “the gallop”. The gallop is the final part of a training spin, where the speed increases, where the talking stops and where everybody is in a line, taking turns to drive the group forward.

It takes a lot of practice to do it right, as well as huge trust in the other riders. You “sit in” as close as you can to the rider in front, with your eyes trained on his or her rear wheel. You concentrate on what you’re doing, as a mistake can be dangerous. Nobody wants to be responsible for an accident, so it is highly controlled with no messing and everybody conducting themselves.

The first gallop normally runs past Kilcoran Hotel and finishes just beyond Jim Carey’s garage. At this stage, breathing is regulated and drinks are taken on board. Checks are made to see who’s feeling strong, who’s hiding and who couldn’t be  arsed. Through the roundabout at Tincurry, there’s 5km (around 2 miles in old money) to go and after a small drag, the second gallop begins. Now, it’s everyone for themselves, waiting, watching, conniving and being cute.

The final 200 metres or so is where the sprint takes place, with the finish line being a sign-post at a secret part on the road (about 500m before the Cahir turn off, on the left as you approach from the Cork side). At this stage, somebody will attempt to pass the finish in first place. There’s no hand raising and all that nonsense, try that and you’ll be very quickly “persona non gratis”

However, for amateurs, this is their Rás, Giro stage or a grand finish on the Champs-Élysées. For that few seconds, the Sam Bennett effect takes over but instead of podium girls, champagne and the World’s press, you get bragging rights for a few days, until invariably somebody will give you “your arse on a plate”.

The gallop is followed by more excuses, “I was hemmed in and couldn’t get out”, “I was in the wrong gear” and the old reliable “I ran out of road, another 50 yards, I’d have had it”.

Cycling is a very solitary sport, with lots of hours on your own, struggling through poor weather, poor form, crashes, injury and motivation.

 In the words of the great Jean de Gribaldy, who was so influential in the career of Sean Kelly:

“Cycling isn’t a game, it’s a sport. Tough, hard and unpitying, and it requires great sacrifices. One plays football, or tennis, or hockey. One doesn’t play at cycling”

But one thing is for certain. The camaraderie, the fun, the friendship that you meet in that group of people, makes it one of the best places you can be.

I wonder does Sam Bennett realise the effect he has on the overall cycling community.

(Image may be subject to copyright)

 

A little bit for humanity

Here’s an email that I sent to Tánaiste (Deputy head of the Irish government) and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Simon Coveney earlier this morning.

Dear Tánaiste,

Like the rest of humanity, I have awoken this morning to pictures and reports of yesterday’s massacre in Gaza.

Let me make the following crystal clear Tánaiste. I have NO political leanings and I have NO connections with groupings of any sort. I am a son, a brother, a husband, a parent, but most importantly, I am a human being. I believe that every person, regardless of their nationality or skin colour, has the right to a peaceful existence on this planet and also, the right to stand up and make their feelings known, when they feel oppressed or mistreated.

Yesterday was a dark day for humanity Tánaiste, as innocent people felt the full weight of an oppressive military machine. A sling shot, against the latest automatic weaponry, isn’t even David versus Goliath. This is a massacre, with no end in sight.

As I watched the Six-One News on RTE, I sat helpless and angry, as the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Zeev Boker, spoke to news anchor, Caitriona Perry. Ms Perry repeatedly asked him, how he can justify the massacre which was unfolding before our eyes. Instead, Mr Boker read the usual script that the rest of the world seems to be accustomed to. There wasn’t the slightest bit of remorse in his voice, as Israel continues to attempt justification, for what I consider crimes against humanity.

Tánaiste, as Irish people, we have a history written in blood. Men and women, much braver than I, stood up to an oppressive regime, fought and gave their lives for the freedoms that I enjoy today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten by Irish people.

As a proud Irish person, I feel deeply uncomfortable that the Israeli ambassador enjoys those same freedoms in my country today, while his counterparts exert their brutality on the innocents.

Why should he be accepted in our country Tánaiste? Can we, as Irish people, show the rest of the world that we will NOT stand idly by, as innocent people are murdered?

Therefore Tánaiste, I ask you to please consider expelling the Israeli Ambassador, as an act of solidarity with humanity.

My kindest rgds etc…………