The People’s Letters Page

Dear Editor,

The new hackneyed phrase in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is “proxy war.”

Lots of new geopolitics “experts” (who were formerly Covid experts) have come to the learned conclusion that somehow the West has caused Russia to invade Ukraine, kill its innocent citizens and destroy its infrastructure.

This is a “proxy war” they say.

The Oxford dictionary defines a proxy war as: “a war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved.”

This war was instigated by Russia with their invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s excuse that it felt threatened is the same reason Hitler gave for invading Europe.

Russia has an enormous nuclear arsenal, why would it be scared for its’ future security?

Why does it have all these nuclear weapons if not for security?

This is no proxy war, with NATO and the Russians crossing swords behind the scenes.

This a real war because Russia invaded Ukraine and killed real civilians, bombed real hospitals, forcibly removed real children from their homes and took them to Russia.

Calling this a “proxy war” denies the Ukrainian people their dignity and makes light of their right to defend themselves.

Ukraine is a sovereign nation recognised by the international community which has the right under Article 51 of the UN Charter to self-defence, there is nothing proxy about this war.

Yours etc,

James Carney,

Cabra 

 

 

Dear Editor,

Most Irish newspapers plus many others worldwide carried the electrifying news of the Digicel bond debt issue recently.

Rather than airing my opinions I wish to let the following journalists who did their research speak as to the real causes of this change in Mr O’Brien’s shareholding in the extraordinary company he founded 22 years ago.

1.Digicel worked in some of the most dangerous parts of the world.

2. Traditional mobile markets were maturing, changing.
3. Growth rates forecasts were thwarted by circumstances.
4. Covid pandemic proved arduous in so many different ways, not least being the sudden shocking lockdown worldwide.
5. The government of Papua New Guinea imposed a super tax levy of 99 million dollars with one week to pay or face further penalties and the potential jailing of Digicel executives.
6. The Russian invasion of Ukraine proved to be seriously problematical on so many different levels.
7. The assassination of Haiti’s Prime Minister Mr Jovenel Moise in July 2021 caused the country of 12 million people to fall into chaos with armed gangs everywhere.

This tragedy seriously impacted Digicel to the loss of 100 million.

However Mr O’Brien is on record saying “The troubles of Digicel are nothing compared to the suffering of the poor people of Haiti currently.”

He has visited the country already four times this year alone to try to help.

SUNDAY TIMES  05-03-23…Brian Carey and Gretchen Friemann

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8.Lots of Digicel staff left because of the unusual and harsh environment.

9. Rapid technological change constantly put Digicel under immense pressure.
10. The investment needed to fight off recent competitors was enormous.
11. Adverse currency fluctuations worked against Digicel in key markets.
12. Money markets dried up for various political and social reasons.
13. An annual interest bill of sometimes up to 600 million.
14. Borrowing costs increasing since 2020 with central banks withdrawing cheap money.
15. Earnings under increasing pressure due to economic,social and political factors.
16. The huge leverage carried by Digicel was ultimately too much.

BUSINESS POST…Matt Cooper… 05-03-23

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17. Digicel came under constant pressure in its 25 markets not least being currency fluctuations.

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT…Samantha  McCaughren…05-03-23

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18. A number of triggers pushed Digicel and its multi -billion dollar debts into an inflection point which will see it change hands.
19. The collapse of revenues in Haiti caused by a surge in civil and violent unrest as well as a cholera outbreak deprived the group of one of its key markets.
20. Digicel was battling with growing competition, currency fluctuations plus instability in a number of its markets.
21. Debt financing became a lot more expensive.

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ANALYSIS…Richard Curran…05-03-23 Edited by Ms Samantha McCaughren

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Also an in depth analysis of Digicel in the Caribbean, Denis O’Brien and his immense commitment to charity work through his Digicel Foundation that has already built 188 schools for deprived children in Haiti can be viewed at:

www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/americas/haiti/article27289935.html#storylink=cpy.

This very well researched article was written by, Ms Jacqueline Charles 08-03-23, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her coverage of the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010 plus the Maria Cabot Prize – the most prestigious award for coverage of the Americas.

MIAMI HERALD..08-03-23…Ms Jacqueline Charles

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In conclusion Mr Ian Keogh writing in THE CURRENCY on 05-03-23 about the importance of “words that matter”

said; “Overall however the issue is determination. Denis O’Brien’s determination helped him build an empire.” CORRECT.

“However, his determination to maintain control of his empire actually helped him lose control of his flagship business.” FALSE.

I have elucidated the facts and many varied reasons plus unforeseen occurrences around the world that adversely caused O’Brien to take the wise course he just did.

However, he is still on the board, still a director and still a serious shareholder.

No man could do no more with so little current social, political and economic favour at his disposal.

Yours sincerely

John J. May

Old Bawn

Tallaght

 

 

Dear Editor,

Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) are miming the words of a disgraced 70s glam rock star by asking children, ‘D’you wanna be in my gang, my gang, my gang’.

What can we assume from observing that the GRI, a commercial semi-state body responsible for the control and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland, is activity targeting the child market.

In a 5-year strategic plan the GRI stressed the importance of “encouragement of the younger generation as spectators and regular attendees at greyhound race meetings”.

GRI tracks have for years been trying to lure children in to greyhound racing with offers of toy vouchers, free meals and colouring competitions.

Even the proceeds of the lucrative holy communion/confirmation circuit is encouraged to be disbursed at a night at the dogs.

Exposing young minds to greyhound racing with its inherent animal abuse while pouring the foundation for a potential adult gambling habit is child grooming under the guise of a greyhound racing jacket.

By involving children in recreational animal events parents are abdicating their responsible to rearing children in an environment that is morally and socially acceptable.

It would be wrong to corral child abuse within the context of physical and sexual, but it should draw in the mental abuse of children either within a family setting or via a third party.

The GRI targeting of children is legal unglamorous marketing to achieve the corruption of the young.

Parents and guardians should resist and exercise parental responsibility by sending greyhound racing to the naughty step.

Yours,

John Tierney

Campaigns Director

Association of Hunt Saboteurs

 

 

Dear Editor,

Further to your article last month about the rise in road accidents, a lot of the blame for this rise is being blamed on mobile phone use.

However, it’s not only our phones that are making driving more dangerous.

Many new cars now come with computer screens on the dashboard.

Instead of being able to change channel on the radio, without having to take their eyes off the road, some drivers now need to keep looking at a screen to find the exact spot to touch in order to change radio channel.

How did nobody involved in car design think that it might be a bad idea to have so many functions in our car controlled by a touchscreen?

Bring back the old radios with the big buttons, much safer all round!

Yours sincerely,

Niall Cunningham,

Templeogue.