Remembering the victims of Cavan orphanage fire

Letters to the Editor

Letters

Tánaiste Micheál Martin expressed the view that we should use our army to train Ukrainian soldiers. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

February 23 2023 02:30 AM

Today marks the 80th anniversary of a horrific event in Co Cavan.

In the early hours of the morning, a disastrous fire swept through St Joseph’s Orphanage in Cavan town, and as a result 35 young people, ranging in age from just four to 18 years, together with an elderly woman who was a member of staff, lost their lives.

The list of the dead makes for harrowing reading as it includes 12-year-old twins and eight pairs of sisters.

Perhaps around this time we might keep the unfortunate victims in our thoughts and maybe offer up a little prayer for them.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9

Ireland must maintain its position as a peacekeeper

Tánaiste Micheál Martin recently expressed the view that we should use our army to train Ukrainian soldiers. It was also reported that the Government was considering this issue.

It seems the Tánaiste and the Government are in danger of losing the plot.

Our neutrality served us well during World War II and our army is welcomed as peacekeepers wherever they go in the world.

We were not our own masters during World War I, and we left thousands of our young men dead at the Somme and in Suvla Bay.

They were encouraged to go there by a misguided John Redmond. Let us not repeat such mistakes.

Hugh Duffy, Cleggan, Co Galway

Put their Christian courage of conviction to the test

Yet again the 1690 residents of the North are shouting: “No surrender!” Perhaps the London government could remove the subsidies they pay to keep ‘the wee North’ afloat.

After that, being Christians, they can put their absolute trust in ‘their’ God.

Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia

Foolproof cure for workplace bullying, accidents and stress

The recent trial of a four-day working week while still being paid the same showed most of the workers were less stressed and had a better balance in life.

I am happy to participate in a more in-depth, longer-term trial to investigate a no-day working week, certain the results will show I am free of stress and workplace accidents and bullying will cease. Always willing.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Sure as the wind blows, our capacity is much greater

Thank you for publishing my letter (‘It is laughable to say Ireland can lead way on wind energy’, February 21).

Just to clarify: Ireland’s installed wind capacity as in my letter is 4,309MW or 4.309GW, not 4.309MW as inadvertently published.

John Leahy, Wilton Road, Cork

Censoring Roald Dahl? Only proper twits would do that

I was shocked to read various articles in the Irish Independent informing us that Roald Dahl’s wonderful children’s books are being edited to remove language that could be deemed offensive. Whatever next? This is such absolute nonsense.

I started reading late in life with the great CS Lewis and the wonderful Roald Dahl. No author’s books should be interfered with in any way. End of story.

Brian Mc Devitt, Glenties, Co Donegal

Don’t mention the upcoming reboot of ‘Fawlty Towers’

To even think about rebooting Fawlty Towers is a major error. Leave well enough alone. How can the original ever be equalled, let alone bettered?

David Ryan, Co Meath

Irish rugby transforming into a very beautiful game

For far too long, rugby was a game centred on the immovable object encountering the irresistible force – in other words, a bore.

The fast-flowing, free-spirited version flourishing in Ireland is a credit to the players and Andy Farrell.

Not only is it a pleasure to watch, it is setting down a template for the future of a skills-based game – providing it is facilitated by fair refereeing.

M O Brien, Dalkey, Co Dublin