The People’s Letters Page

Here is this week’s People’s Letters Page…

Dear Editor,

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson said she made a ‘big mistake’ in judgement in the case relating to Emirati Princess Latifa Al Maktoum when she appeared on the Late Late Show where she spoke with regret about being ‘naive’ and ‘betrayed’ concerning the princess’ welfare.

‘I made a mistake. I let my heart lead my head. I went to help a friend. I was naive. I should have been more alert,’ she told interviewee Ryan Tubridy.

Latifa’s father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is one of the world’s richest heads of state, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

After a failed escape bid, Latifa sent secret video messages to friends accusing her father of holding her “hostage” as she feared for her life.

In the footage shared with BBC Panorama, she said commandos drugged her as she fled Dubai by boat and flew her back to detention.

A photograph of Dr Robinson, who was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the princess, went viral in December 2018 after it appeared to show proof of Latifa’s life.

Dr Robinson told the Late Late Show that she had been in contact with Simon Coveney about the princess.

“He has said we are on the Security Council now but even before that contact had been made with our ambassador in Geneva to support the High Commissioner,” she said.

The chair of The Elders founded by Nelson Mandela said Latifa needs political support and added that she “100 percent believes Latifa now” and the princess who is detained against her will should be freed.

The UN indicated it plans to make representations to the Dubai ruler.
Beware the ides of March.

Yours sincerely,

Gerry Coughlan,

Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24

Dear Editor,

For me the best part of the Big Interview the other night was when Meghan showed Oprah her rescued battery chickens.

Battery fowl, unlike the free range ones, are subjected to high levels of stress.

They are prone to self-mutilation and cannibalism and due to their restrictive environment, they cannot easily walk, nest, perch or even stretch their wings.

Meghan’s brief but captivating focus on her own lucky chickens will boost campaigns worldwide to highlight a cruel industry.

I also welcome the fact that the Duchess of Sussex is anti-blood sports, a stance at variance with the Royal Family’s longstanding fondness for them.

King William back in the 12th century was an avid deer hunter.

Henry VIII, when not concerned with affairs of state or his well-documented marital challenges, could be found hunting just about anything that ran on four legs.

James I was a passionate advocate and patron of hare coursing, attending many events in which hares were ripped apart by dogs in front of cheering crowds.

Edward VII sparked controversy in 1868 when a deer he had chased for miles collapsed from exhaustion in Paddington Station before being eviscerated by the pack.

His son, George V, was a renowned game shooter.

He shot thousands of birds, rabbits, and hares in Britain and led several hunting expeditions to far-flung parts of the Empire. In the course of one day’s shooting in India he “bagged” 21 tigers.

The Royals were reportedly very upset when a Labour government banned fox hunting in 2004.

Meghan has managed, with great courage and dignity, to free herself from the strictures of a contrived and unnatural environment.

Animals too deserve to be free- from man’s inhumanity.

Thanking you,

Sincerely

John Fitzgerald

Dear Editor,

Just a brief line to say that the memory stick containing hundreds of photos of a new-born baby and parents was reunited with the happy couple, thanks to the Northside People.

They made contact with me the day after publication of your article.

Regards,

Paul Kennedy

Dear Editor,

How ironic that a group of conservative TDs seeking to restrict access to abortion are calling themselves ‘Life and Dignity’.

Have they already forgotten that when Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise abortion, the motivation was to protect the life and dignity of pregnant people?

We urge TDs to respect the wishes of the Irish electorate as expressed in the landslide vote to Repeal the Eighth Amendment in May 2018, and to resist attempts to use the legislative review later this year to roll back our hard-won access to abortion.

Moreover, with many people in Ireland still unable to access abortion and still having to travel to England or further afield, even during the pandemic, TDs must use the review process to listen to the experts and fix the many flaws in the current legislation. 1,429,981 pro-choice voters will be watching.

Doris Murphy,

Co-convenor,

Rebels4Choice

Dear Editor,

I was wondering if any of your readers know why it is almost impossible to see a GP since the Covid pandemic began?

Every other essential service has continued to remain open but according to many people I’ve spoken to the chances of getting to see a doctor are slim.

I can’t speak from personal experience, and I’m sure its not the same with all GPs, but several people I know have complained about this problem.

I feel very sorry for people who are really worried about serious things and cannot go and talk to their own GP.

I also know that GPs around the country have vented their frustration at the (lack of) speed of the vaccine rollout.

Many say they have been left without doses due to delivery delays while being inundated with calls from vulnerable patients demanding to know why they have not yet been vaccinated.

After almost 12 months of dealing with this virus, lets hope the end is in sight and brighter days are ahead.

Yours,

Sean Nolan,
Glasnevin