Letters to the Editor, May 9th: On religion in the classroom, Hamas, Kneecap and skorts

Irish Times

09-05-2025

Religion in the classroom
Sir, – Paddy Monahan of Education Equality
has written a very powerful piece
(Opinion, Thursday, May 8th) on the need to have faith formation moved outside of our classrooms. It has all been said before, of course, and it is shocking, in this day and age, that it is necessary to keep on reiterating the need for what is a basic requirement in an otherwise diverse, open-minded, and anti-discriminatory society.
The article reminds us that, at least up to now, the needs and opinions of that most important element of our educational establishment, the teachers, have been ignored. Perhaps, at last, they will find themselves in a position to affect the outcome, just as the camogie players have found it possible to make their voices heard over the rigid demands of those who would appeal to 'tradition' to impede proper progress. – Yours, etc,
SEAMUS McKENNA,
READ MORE
Maynooth,
Kildare
School places for autistic children
Sir, – I read with concern Carl O'Brien's recent article ('
Schools put up barriers to entry for pupils with autism
', Home News, May 8th) highlighting the Department of Education's disturbing findings on discriminatory admissions policies affecting autistic children and those with learning difficulties in our publicly funded schools.
It is deeply troubling that, in 2025, almost all of the primary and post-primary schools examined in the department's own review continue to include exclusionary clauses in their admissions policies. These policies – whether requiring a child to participate in mainstream classes, setting arbitrary disability thresholds, or using resource availability as an excuse – clearly contravene the legislative intent behind inclusive education.
As a taxpayer and advocate for equitable public services, I find it unacceptable that schools receiving State funding continue to defy both the spirit and letter of the law. Even more disheartening is the continuity of such failures across successive governments, despite policy commitments from previous administrations led by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to promote inclusion and equality in education.
The response – urging patron bodies to review their policies – is welcome but insufficient. It is not enough to request voluntary compliance from institutions that have demonstrated a persistent reluctance to meet their legal obligations. This issue demands more than polite reminders; it requires enforceable action.
Furthermore, while schools cite a lack of resources and specialist support, this does not excuse the active marginalisation of children with greater needs. It merely highlights the need for robust planning, dedicated funding, and training, which the department must ensure is delivered effectively and transparently.
Ireland cannot claim to value inclusivity while it systemically excludes some of its most vulnerable children from equitable access to education. The time for studies and statements has passed. It is now time for decisive leadership and accountability. – Yours, etc,
MANDY WILLIAMS,
Dublin 14.
Hamas and Kneecap
Sir, – Vittorio Bufacchi ('
Kneecap deserve credit rather than condemnation
', Opinion, May 3rd) and others may consider 'Up Hamas' as an expression of support for the Palestinian people suffering under the Israeli government's criminal attacks but it also frees Hamas from its co-responsibility for that suffering.
The October 7th, 2023, attack, a dastardly war crime in itself, was clearly carried out in order to provoke an outrageous and equally criminal reprisal by Israel on the people of Gaza which would then restore some semblance of legitimacy to Hamas's thuggish and corrupt control of the territory.
The combination of corruption in Israeli and US politics and European guilt has given the racists and genocidaires in the Israeli government the opportunity for horror far beyond what was expected, but this does not in any way decrease Hamas's co-responsibility for those crimes against the Palestinian people.
At least Hamas is officially treated as the terrorist organisation it is, with associated sanctions. It is past time for all individuals and organisations supporting ethnic cleansing 'between the river and the sea' to be treated equally.
If Taoiseach Mícheál Martin is serious about his condemnation of Israel's crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, then the Irish Government must, at a minimum, declare as terrorists Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, ministers in the current Israeli government, and their political parties. Our government must push for the EU to act as well and to implement the same sanctions as apply to other terrorists and terrorist organisations. – Yours, etc,
LIAM MULLIGAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Athena Swan
Sir, – The defences of Athena Swan offered by Kathleen James-Chakraborty and Joseph O'Shea (Letters,
May 7th
) reflect a troubling complacency about the erosion of academic freedom in Irish universities. Whatever its original aim, Athena Swan has evolved into an ideological mechanism, pressuring institutions to adopt contested beliefs about gender identity without open debate.
Prof James-Chakraborty's claim that she has never heard these concerns voiced underscores the problem. The silence isn't evidence of consensus – it's a sign that many feel unable to speak without risking reputational or professional damage.
Athena Swan encourages this culture of conformity. It demands alignment with policies that reframe sex as gender identity, marginalise women's concerns about single-sex spaces, and enforce institutional language codes. These are not neutral inclusivity measures – they reflect a contested worldview.
Mr O'Shea's assertion that 'progressive values' do not amount to censorship ignores the reality that only one perspective on gender identity is institutionally acceptable. Compliance is rewarded with funding and reputational gain, while dissent is pathologised.
Even more disturbing is the failure of Irish public broadcasters to provide space for this debate. RTÉ and others have consistently avoided serious coverage of the implications of gender identity policy, particularly for women and children. That this discussion is happening on the letters pages, and not on national airwaves, is an indictment of our media culture.
In this climate, organisations like Genspect Ireland, of which I am a member, have emerged to give voice to the growing number of academics, clinicians, parents and others asking the questions our institutions refuse to confront. We exist not because the debate is unimportant, but because it has been actively suppressed.
The concerns raised by Colette Colfer and John Armstrong ('
Why do we have a charter for thought control in Irish universities?
', Education, May 6th) are not 'overblown.' They are urgent, and broadcasters should be hosting these conversations, not avoiding them. – Yours, etc,
SARA MORRISON,
Genspect Ireland,
Belfast.
Legacy of Pope Francis
Sir, – Referring to some positive outcomes of Laudato Si', the 2015 encyclical letter by Pope Francis, Jane Mellett (
Letters, May 8th
) mentions that in 2023 the Irish bishops 'sked parishes across the country to return 30 per cent of church grounds to nature in an effort to address the biodiversity crisis locally and nationally'.
I am not a bishop, but like millions of Irish people, I have considerable power and influence when it comes to my own garden. Now wouldn't it be something special if the 30 per cent rule was applied by all of us lucky enough to be able to choose how to care for our own patch of the Earth?
In return we could look forward to birdsong, the buzzing of insects and the pleasure of sitting in the shade of a beautiful tree or two (hazel or hawthorn perhaps?), leaves rustling above our heads, as we sit out on a summer afternoon with the good feeling one gets from giving! – Yours, etc,
KATHY QUIRKE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Death of Derek Evans
Sir, – I read with great sadness of the
death of my fellow angling writer Derek Evans
. I spent many happy hours in his company enjoying some of Ireland's finest fisheries and we last cast a line together on his beloved Lough Mask.
Derek was the epitome of the gentleman angler and understood the three certainties in life are death, taxes and leaky waders. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the north. Tight lines. – Yours, etc,
MAURICE NEILL,
Kesh,
Co Fermanagh
Skorts
Sir, – As a compromise, the Camogie Association should strive for a skort-term letting arrangement. – Yours, etc,
ULTAN Ó BROIN,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Just to be clear, the word 'skort' originated from the combination of the words 'skirt' and 'short'. It should not be confused by the good people of south Dublin as coming from the Ross O'Carroll-Kelly dictionary that has introduced many new words to the English language including 'gords', 'morketing' and 'First Orts'. – Yours, etc,
PADRAIG McGARTY,
Mohill,
Co Leitrim.
Sir, – It is about time one of our most cherished and venerable national organisations retired its anachronistic and outmoded attire. Wearers are regularly embarrassed, exposed and made to look foolish – especially when performing cartwheels or somersaults in the heat of battle or on the field of play. After careful and exhaustive inquiry it is time to abolish barristers' wigs. This should be done in skort order. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL DEASY,
Bandon,
Co Cork.
Greyhound racing and gambling
Sir, – In response to the recent correspondence regarding greyhound racing and underage exposure to gambling (
Letters, May 3rd
), it is important to distinguish between exposure and participation, and to acknowledge the role of informed, responsible choices made by adults.
Sporting events in Ireland – from greyhound racing to horse racing, football, and GAA matches – often include ancillary elements such as betting and alcohol. These have long been part of the wider social and cultural experience, but participation in them remains a choice, not an inevitability. Adults attending such events do so with the awareness of their responsibilities, especially when accompanied by children.
Greyhound Racing Ireland and similar organisations promote family attendance not to normalise gambling, but to offer inclusive community events. Attending a race meeting does not equate to encouraging gambling any more than attending a pub for a meal equates to encouraging underage drinking.
The reality is that shielding young people entirely from the existence of adult behaviours is not a long-term strategy. A more effective approach lies in open discussion, education, and informed decision-making – not removing families from public events where such behaviours are legally and responsibly engaged in by adults.
Rather than condemning all exposure, we should trust in the ability of parents to guide their children and teach them the difference between participation and observation. – Yours, etc.
PEARSE LYNCH,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.
Closure of Castletown House
Sir, – Donough Cahill in his letter to The Irish Times (
Letters, May 8th
) highlights the importance of Castletown House, and the wonderful work undertaken to restore it. Local communities also appreciate the outstanding work of ground staff restoring the many paths and pond which formed part of the designed landscape. The Office of Public Works ground staff have won biodiversity awards for their work restoring the meadows.
We congratulate the staff for this work, and are outraged by the vandalism of recent days. The Minister must act to restore the M4 access route to the house, which has been in use since 2007, but has been blocked by a new owner. He also has other options to gain vehicular access for staff, while maintaining Lime Avenue, the only level, safe, walking path for vulnerable pedestrians. – Yours, etc,
MONICA JOY,
Castletown,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.
In defence of Parkside
I read your article, '
Residents of north Dublin housing estate fear antisocial behaviour us putting lives at risk
', (Home News, May 7th) with interest, both as a resident of Parkside and as a Dublin city councillor for Donaghmede wathe rd.
In the interest of fairness and balance I believe it is important to also highlight the positive efforts and community spirit that define the Parkside area. The issues reflect real concerns. But what I feel the piece missed was the other half of the story – the resilience of this community, the progress already being made, and the real reasons so many of the residents continue to proudly call this area home.
Parkside, Belmayne, and Clongriffin are young, diverse, and growing neighbourhoods. With that comes growing pains – but also enormous opportunity. We have already seen strong, community-led progress. Residents came together to establish a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Parkside last year. The group works in closely with gardaí and it is a great example of what's possible when community and authorities work together.
Similarly, with support from Dublin City Council, the Parkside Community Association was established – a vital platform for residents to have a say in how their area develops.
This group has organised successful events, including an Easter celebration. It also participated in the National Spring Clean initiative and it continues to grow in strength.
This community is not without its issues, but it is also full of hope, strength, and progress. I see it every day – in the families, in the volunteers, local community groups and in the people who invest time and energy into building a better future here. Many of them have chosen this as their forever home, and we all remain fully committed to that choice. – Yours, etc,
SUPRIYA SINGH,
Councillor, Donaghmede LEA,
Dublin City Council.
Future of libraries
Sir, – I am writing to express my frustration regarding the closure of my local library during the Easter break. My son recently returned from college but still had upcoming examinations, a common occurrence among college and pre-college students during this period.
This closure raises a pertinent question about the role of libraries in the modern world. I believe that libraries should be transformed into active open spaces or hubs dedicated to slow learning. They could also serve as places of 'quiet' and 'reflection' in an increasingly noisy world, with dedicated 'spaces' within. Modern churches, if you will.
Essentially, they need to be open and active in the community. Only then can they justify the State's investment in their maintenance and operation. – Yours, etc,
TONY HUTCHINSON,
Mullingar,
Co Westmeath.