Letters to the editor: Is Ireland’s neutrality really just an illusion?
Imprisoned, A Quarter His Wikileaks/pa Life Has Telling Assange Picture: Persecuted, ' The And 'for Tortured, For Been Smeared, Of Truth, Julian
Seán O’Riordan, in his excellent appraisal of Ireland’s at-risk neutrality, mentions that “the British media has been hard at work” in chastising Ireland as a “freeloader”.
This begs two questions:
First, is it the British media that’s been hard at work, or is it the British defence establishment, egged on by the British government, egged on by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, egged on by EU hawks, egged on by Nato that’s been hard at work embedding this “freeloader” narrative in the British media? After all, what does the British media care about Ireland’s defence arrangements? But it’s clear that the Department of Foreign Affairs under the stewardship of, first, Fine Gael and, now, Fianna Fáil has been stung by criticism from dual EU/Nato members to the effect that Ireland is letting the EU (and Nato) down. The current Irish government is desperate to get back into the EU’s good books for many and varied (horrible) reasons, including a characteristic willingness to kowtow to the EU Commission and for personal advancement (the EU rewards obedience).
Second, what is the true meaning of this “freeloader” jibe? That Ireland won’t plunge billions into its Defence Forces at the expense of social services and the like? That Ireland won’t spend the kind of money expected of prospective Nato members? But why would it? Ireland is not in Nato and a majority of people here clearly don’t fancy it. Nor can Ireland afford to burn money on building up the Defence Forces that, in any case, would never be in a position to stop an attack by a major imperial power (probably not even a very small power). That’s a primary reason for Ireland having declared neutrality at the very foundation of the state: to persuade powerful countries that we just want to live in peace — that Ireland neither threatens them nor takes sides in their wars. To prove its credentials in this regard, Ireland has actively engaged in peace-keeping abroad and for many decades was a voice for peace at the United Nations (sadly, that’s now seen as old hat).
Mr O’Riordan is mistaken, I think, in describing Ireland’s neutrality as “a well-guarded illusion”. Certainly, it’s now threadbare, having been picked apart piece by piece by the current government, which has become increasingly attendant to the demands of EU hawks (and, by extension, to the demands of Nato). The plan to abolish the triple lock is yet one more example of this. But neutrality is still the official position and, thankfully, puts limits on government military ambitions. One might say that neutrality has become an albatross around the government’s neck. If so, hard luck on them. But hard luck on us if they succeed in abandoning it.
Dominic Carroll, Cork Neutrality League, Ardfield, Co Cork
Persecuted for telling the truth
For telling the truth, Julian Assange has been persecuted, tortured, imprisoned, and smeared, for a quarter of his life. Now, instead of receiving an apology and compensation for injustices meted out against him, his freedom comes only on condition of admission that the best and most essential kind of journalism for serving accountability is a crime.
Julian Assange is a symbol of the erosion of human rights and natural law. Instead of abiding by those pillars of justice, habeas corpus and initial assumption of innocence, ‘democratic’ countries now widely practice what they once denounced elsewhere; detention on suspicion, celebration of murder of those inconvenient to powerful interests, and reckless ‘collateral damage’. Fair trials are old hat. Trial by captured media and law-fare are the in things.
As technology enables ever greater control by corrupt dictatorial elements, further dehumanising victims, a renewed focus on civil liberties, and international law could afford people protections that governments were supposed to guarantee. What people like Julian Assange sacrifice is not for themselves. May his suffering not be for nothing, as he regains some liberty to be reunited with his family.
Caroline Hurley, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary
Losing faith in our legal systems
I read Louise O’Neil’s article about Natasha O’Brien and was incredibly moved by her honesty and eloquence.
I have been feeling guilty I haven’t reacted like the protesters but I can relate to nearly every word Louise writes about the reality of what Natasha went through.
It’s exhausting sometimes trying to build a life back when faith in the legal systems leaves you. It all seems to be to the perpetrator’s advantage.
I hope all the politicians applauding in the Dáil do something real about our legal systems and Natasha does get justice. However, anger fades, and with the isolation Louise writes about, so does motivation.
Sarah Fitzgerald, Bishopstown, Cork
Do we just need different judges?
In a discussion on Today with Claire Byrne on Monday it was suggested that judges undergo mandatory retraining every few years in an effort to increase their empathy for victims of violence. Even a 10-year-old child would know that if a man beats a woman unconscious he deserves to go to jail. If a judge needs to be retrained to understand this, he should not be serving in a court of law. We don’t need retrained judges, just different judges.
Anne Murtagh, Kilkenny
Council inept on challenges of litter
I would like to congratulate each of the voluntary organisations participating in the 2024 anti-litter challenge competition hosted by Cork County Council. However, the local authority is not suitable to host such an event, considering the very poor record of the council on waste management-related issues and in particular in the fight against litter.
This situation is self-evident day in and day out, with the local authority failing to enforce its own litter bylaws. The number of prosecutions or lack of same is further confirmation that Cork County Council does not take litter legislation seriously. As someone on regular litter patrol I am in no doubt that more than 60% of items lifted from our streets are cigarette butts.
Again the response of the local authority on this front is negative. While voluntary groups and individual businesses take the initiative by erecting cigarette receptacles, in contrast Cork County Council, in tandem with the vast majority of government agencies up and down the country, refuse to erect cigarette receptacles outside the public buildings to accommodate their customers.
Is it too much to ask in the interests of environmental promotion that statutory bodies would at minimum meet the standard already undertaken by voluntary organisations? I was disappointed, but not surprised, a number of years ago, when my request for Cork County Council to consider a pilot scheme where on-request cigarette receptacles would be made available to ratepayers fell on deaf ears.
In view of the above situation, I am in no doubt that a more appropriate group could be found to host the anti-litter challenge.
Tadhg O’Donovan, Fermoy, Cork
Care providers do not care for staff
Regarding Niamh Griffin’s story — ‘People waiting ‘in excess of nine months’ for homecare in Cork and Kerry’ (Irish Examiner, May 2).
As one of these “unobtainable carers” I have to say that the treatment of staff by homecare companies, the hours which they provide, and the total inability to value staff is of concern. It cost me more to work in this sector for the few months I was working for a care agency than any other career.
I was on 20 hours and getting no support from the State. I had to starve in order to satisfy fuel needs for the car, as the company gave me clients which required driving for prolonged periods. When I asked for more hours, I was denied.
Mikki James, Kerry