Dear Editor,
This is a message for all blind and visually impaired men/women.
My name is Paddy Morgan, and I am captain of Irish Blind Golf (IBG).
I am 25 years old and have been visually impaired for many years.
Joining IBG was one of the best things that I have ever done and love the freedom and sound of hitting the golf ball.
Although I am visually impaired, playing golf has been a lifesaver for me and a great way to meet new friends across the world.
We all play with the help of guides who help us line up shots and keep the scores.
We currently have 9/10 outings a year in Ireland but also compete in international tournaments abroad on a regular basis.
It’s such an honour to represent Ireland and especially as a visually impaired golfer.
We have our own training and development sessions at Elmgreen Driving Range (Dublin) under the guidance of PGA PROFESSIONAL Graham Sweeney.
Many of our golfers have won tournaments abroad in American, South Africa, Italy, Scotland, Austria, and England.
Age Is no obstacle.
We have young and not so young members from several counties throughout Ireland, so why not get in touch with us and give golf a go.
We are a vibrant inclusive organization, and we welcome new members, whether you played golf before or not.
You can find out lots more about us if you visit our website @irishblindgolf.eu also contact our Secretary Oliver O’ Connor at Irishblindgolf@hotmail.com Or phone 0876031046.
Yours sincerely
Paddy Morgan Captain IBG.
Dear Editor
I have been thinking a lot lately about some of the awful media comments on Trans, I grew up gay at a time when it was illegal, where a lot of people married to hide there sexuality or entered religious life, what an awful way to live life, to not be yourself!
To live in shame of who you are!
I dont know much but I would rather people be who they were born to be than self harming or contemplate suicide!
I hope we can build a society that respects diversity and encourages inclusion for everyone!
Go raibh maith agat,
Cllr Francis Timmons
Clondalkin Area Chair 2021-2022
Independent Dublin Mid West
Dear Editor.
I see that the Taoiseach was present at the release of white-tailed eagle chicks into the wild, part of an effort to bring back these magnificent birds. He had every reason to be proud of the initiative undertaken by our National Parks and Wildlife Service that aims to restore a long absent bird to our embattled ecosystem.
Sadly, this high-profile boost to our wildlife heritage came just days after the Government over which Mr. Martin presides granted a license permitting the capture of thousands of wild hares: not for conservationist or scientific purposes, nor for pest-control (the hare doesn’t pose a threat) but so that dogs can be set on them.
So, while the white-tailed eagles trace their majestic patterns across our skies, below them on Irish terra firma the fleet-footed hares will run from pairs of greyhounds in coursing, some to be mauled or forcibly struck; others to have their bones crushed, and others again to die of stress-related ailments following release back into the wild.
I would question the ecological vision of a government that expects us to admire its concern for rare birds even as it allows our iconic Irish Hare, one of our few truly native mammals, to be used as live bait.
Our hare is a sub-species of the Mountain hare that survived the Ice Age of 10,000 years ago and may have been around for up to 60,000 years before that.
It was running free on this island when humans wore loin cloths and lived in caves.
And there wasn’t a politician or coursing fan to be seen as they got along with their humble little lives.
The celebrated English poet William Blake wrote: “Each outcry of the hunted hare/ a fiber from the brain doth tear.”
Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to bother certain rural TDs. They need reminding that the hare is highly sensitive to pain and stress, and that it belongs to all of us.
It should not be the preserve of a heartless minority.
Thanking you,
John Fitzgerald
Dear Editor,
As the cost of education has increased, 11,189 students and their families have fallen in arrears during the Covid-19 pandemic across Ireland.
This number was obtained following 33 Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 requests to all third-level institutions in the Republic and the North of Ireland.
The responses we received indicate a 67% increase in fee and university-owned rent arrears from 6,678 in 2018-2019 to 11,189 in 2020-2021.
Students4Change is sharing these worrying figures and calls for immediate action to organise against this capitalist government and for socialist power.
The political consciousness of the student movement has been so far to cooperate with the neoliberal coalition.
This has miserably failed the students of Ireland.
Photo-shoots with Minister Harris or any other politician from the FF/FG/Greens has led to nothing but empty promises from the government.
Such actions will not lead to change being made, since being ‘respectable’ or being in with them will not make them listen to us.
While they are preoccupied with stunts, students on-the-ground are struggling as evidenced by the sharp increase in the number of those in fee and rent-related arrears.
Instead, we must agitate against the enemies of students, workers and our communities.
We are under attack and this must be met with the most severe fightback.
Nothing should be off the table – strikes, marches and occupations to realise our demands. We demand free, public and democratic education for all!
In solidarity,
László Molnárfi
Students 4 Change
Chairperson.
Dear Editor,
I am resident of the North Strand and I received a notice from my Dublin City Councillor, Nial Ring on Friday 5th August 2022 with regard to the traffic diversions from the North Strand which are to commence on Monday 8th August 2022 and which will continue until 2024.
Planning for this major project would have been made two or three years ago but the residents of this area were kept in the dark all along.
It was mentioned by Councillor Ring that 66,00 leaflets were delivered to every house in the area but that he didn’t know anyone who got one.
None were delivered to my avenue and anyone that I spoke to did not receive one either.
I visited the City Council Offices on Thursday 28th July 2022 to register my complaint that no notices had been delivered up to that date.
It is incumbent on the City Council to come clean on this almighty cockup and to arrange a meeting with local residents at an early date and to listen to their complaints.
For the record, the absence of visits by the minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, who is TD for this area,along with Mary Lou McDonald TD, Nessa Hourigan TD and Gary Gannon TD since the general election in 2020 has been noticed by many residents.
This also applies to the City Councillors for the North Inner City Central Area.with the exception of Councillor Ring.
Yours sincerely,
Herbert F. Eyre
North Strand