Letters: We should never forget sacrifices made by gardaí to ensure we are all safe

Irish Independent

13-05-2025

Each time a garda goes out on duty they do not know if, in the performance of their duties and protecting their community, they will finish their shift.
An Garda Síochána has experienced the loss of garda lives on many occasions over its history, and the impact of all on the garda family can be felt even now.
While Garda Commissioner Drew Harris talks about a 'societal reset', it behoves us all to ensure when we get behind the wheel of a car or other vehicle that we understand how, in a matter of milliseconds, we can alter or destroy lives by our actions.
While we add Gda Flatley's name to other garda personnel who died in the line of duty, we must remember his life was a commitment to not only protect and serve, but one of dedication to duty and to society, and to the oath he took 26 years ago when he joined An Garda Síochána.
We should never forget the ultimate sacrifice all deceased garda members made to ensure our safety and security. They shall not be forgotten. Ar dhéis Dé go raibh ainm dilís.
Christy Galligan (retired Gda Sgt), Letterkenny, Co Donegal
RTÉ should stick to its mandate and stay out of Israel in Eurovision row
The recent comments by RTÉ on Israel participating in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest is another sign that the organisation is moving away from its function as a public service broadcaster.
RTÉ receives public money to carry out its functions from the taxpayer through government funding, in addition to individuals obliged to pay their television licence. Part of the ethos of the organisation is to remain impartial in its involvement and reporting of current affairs.
Whatever the sensitivities of Israel's participation in the contest may evoke, it is not the function of RTÉ to takes sides on these issues.
May I suggest that the organisation continues concentrating on broadcasting factual information on its current-affairs programming instead of taking a stand on issues that are political in nature.
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Eamonn O'Hara, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal
Pope Leo, a baseball fan, knows all too well the real depths of earthly suffering
I have to say, Pope Leo XIV has captured more than just the attention of theologians ('Bob was a 'trickster' at school, now he's first American Pope', Irish Independent, May 12). From his gentle poise to his deep roots in Chicago, he seems every inch a man shaped by both faith and mischief – and all the wiser for it.
But it was one revealing detail that confirmed, for me, his deep understanding of human struggle: he supports the White Sox. Anyone who has endured that lifelong test – hope followed by heartbreak, year after year – must already grasp something of earthly suffering.
For those of us still waiting for long-hoped-for victories, perhaps in Croke Park, it's good to know there's now a sympathetic ear at the top.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Co Armagh
Moving statues were bad enough – now we have one that's alive, alive, oh
The Molloy Malone statue in Dublin is becoming less stable, as a result of people climbing over it. All we need is another moving statue.
Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
Louth victory is proof that small counties can go far with the right leadership
It was wonderful to see Louth lift the Delaney Cup in Croke Park on Sunday to become Leinster football champions for the first time since 1957.
The scenes of utter joy among supporters at the sight of their brilliant captain Sam Mulroy lifting the winning trophy on the steps of the Hogan Stand will live long in our memory.
This success didn't come overnight. They hung in there through the bad times. They began to organise at county board level, concentrating on bringing their development squads up through the ranks, getting the best coaches and the best people into leadership roles. They also put good structures in place, supported their clubs and developed their ­facilities to modern-day standards.
This just goes to show that small counties and small clubs can achieve great things, if properly organised with strong leadership and good structures put in place, with an unyielding determination to succeed.
Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo
Irish people voted for all citizens to be able to live and love as they choose
There's been a lot of talk this weekend about trans people and we are really heartened to see politicians and journalists taking the time to hear from trans people about their lives and the issues impacting them right now.
However, what is often lost in the sometimes fevered discussions is how much trans people and their families and loved ones just want to be safe and get on with their lives without public scrutiny.
As a nation, we agreed in 2015 and in 2018 that we should all be able to live and love as we choose, that we are entitled to bodily autonomy and have the right to make private medical decisions with our doctors.
These are the values that our country decided on in large numbers, and they should apply to everyone.
Karen Sugrue, Claire Flynn, Bernie Linnane, Jude Copeland, Mammies for Trans Rights
Banning social media for under-16s not the answer – monitoring its use is
The New Zealand government is looking to ban social media access for under-16s by next year.
A number of countries are working on restricting access to social media, but with little success so far. Banning anything is difficult, given the freedoms most countries promote and protect.
Banning social media will be even more difficult, given that any technological bypass will be sent around the world before parents can finish a nice cup of tea.
Social media, once the realm of cat videos and family photos, has broadened to include dangerous challenges and videos of the consequences.
It has great potential, as did nuclear power – although the ex-citizens of Chernobyl might see a different future. Rather than a ban, governments should monitor, clean and promote the positive and punish the negative.