Letters to the Editor: Man-made famine unfolding in Gaza
It has now been two long, harrowing months since Israel reinstated a total siege on Gaza, blocking the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid and commercial goods into a region already devastated by war.
This marks the longest period Israel has blocked all aid and goods from entering Gaza in history.
With community kitchens — one of the last remaining lifelines in Gaza — now threatened with closure, the world is witnessing a man-made famine unfolding in real time.
Desperation has reached unspeakable levels. Mothers are boiling grass to feed their families. Children are suffering unbearable hunger, trauma, violence, and abandonment.
Gaza's hospitals, already crippled, are close to collapse, unable to function without essential medicines, vaccines, and equipment.
Women, girls, and other vulnerable groups face escalating risks of gender-based violence.
Stocks in aid warehouses are nearly gone. Palestinian organisations continue to seek to supply desperate communities through local markets, but they are facing eye-watering prices.
Yet world leaders are distracted it seems, while the ethnic cleansing and likely genocide of Palestinians rages on.
As the UN Secretary-General put it, Gaza is a killing field, and its civilians are trapped in an endless death loop.
The weaponisation of aid, including withholding food, water, healthcare, and shelter, has led to a surge in preventable deaths and threatens the dignity and survival of Palestinians in Gaza.
This is a preventable atrocity. And it does nothing to address the horror of the remaining hostages and their families.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have intensified military operations in the occupied West Bank, severely disrupting humanitarian aid delivery there.
This includes demolishing Palestinian homes, forcibly displacing approximately 40,000 people, and destroying critical infrastructure.
World leaders must demand an immediate end to the blockade, and tough action must be taken against Israel and its shredding of international law.
Every hour of delay in restoring aid costs more lives. This brutal, illegal, and devastating occupation of Palestinian territory and its people must end.
The Irish Government must also play its part; stop wavering, and honour its pre-election pledge to introduce the Occupied Territories Bill. This would show true leadership on one of the most devastating issues of our time.
This is a moment of moral reckoning. A moment when the world must step up. Otherwise, history will not be kind.
Karol Balfe, CEO ActionAid Ireland, Dublin
Cork GPs condemn genocide of Palestinian people
We the undersigned general practitioners of Cork, on April 29, 2025, wish to condemn the ongoing genocide being perpetrated on the Palestinian people by Israel, and call for the immediate expulsion of Israel from international medical organisations such as the World Health Organization and the World Medical Association.
We demand that the Irish Medical Council, the Irish College of GPs, and the Irish colleges representing other specialties such as surgery, medicine, anaesthesiology, etc, echo this condemnation of Israel, and similarly call for its expulsion from the above organisations.
Eugene Egan, Paul O'Keefe, Patrick Brady, Bob Townsend, Frank Hill, Nurua Zulifee, Jeremy Gibson, Patricia McMahon, Noelle O'Sullivan, Kate Marie Boyle, Adham Jaber, and Ken Harte, via email
Increased military spending and price for peace
Several recent public commentaries in the media and in the Irish Examinerhave made a compelling case for the increased military spending as the price of peace in Europe.
This argument goes that Nato's presence and increased military expenditure may represent the price for peace and longer-term prosperity.
To some extent, history supports this.
The nuclear arms race between the US and USSR provides a classic example of such brinkmanship where the risk of collateral damage was so great that it acted as a deterrent to nuclear war.
However, the reality is more complex than simple measures of military expenditure.
During the 1990s, when average Nato military expenditure exceeded the 2% target, Europe experienced conflict in the Balkans.
Neither did such spending deter Nato members from military interventions in third countries.
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While it is true that military spending boosts economic growth through what is known as military Keynesianism, this spending is often capital-intensive and wasteful compared to other forms of investment.
Analysing US military spending in the Vietnam War in the 1960s, the economist Leslie Fishman noted that because governments typically seek to keep their own military casualties low, military expenditure is necessarily much more capital-intensive than other sectors of the economy.
This means that the current European efforts to repurpose industrial facilities for military purposes may lead to poor long-term returns.
Moreover, the casualties from the US war efforts since the 1950 were of such magnitude that it made any cost-benefit analysis meaningless.
On the other hand, Fishman noted that post-war initiatives such as the Marshall Plan had a high return for the US, keeping the Soviet Union at bay for relatively small outlays.
Finally, military spending is often itself destabilising.
US efforts to contain communist China during the 1950s and 1960s and its build-up of military capabilities in the Middle East have all contributed to current instability.
Damian Tobin, Cork University Business School, University College Cork
Women need more than 'a seat at the table'
The original article from Dr Suzanne Crowe — 'Punishing those who speak out fails us all' ( Irish Examiner, April 23) and the responding letter from Aisling McNiffe — 'Speaking up for Ireland's voiceless' (May 1) — were both written as mothers.
As yet another mother, I agree with both of them.
I also am the parent of an adult with a disability, not one with the acute medical needs that Aisling's son has, but without the 24/7 supervisory care that I provide, my child would soon sink.
The real underlying unaddressed issue here is one of 'power over', equity, and the undeniable fact that our current systems are systems of dominance, patriarchy, hierarchy, and therefore, control.
Suzanne Crowe, president of the Irish Medical Council and consultant paediatric intensivist and anaesthesiologist. Picture: Moya Nolan
They are systems of 'old' and not fit for purpose in this modern world that we live in — they need radical transformation.
It's time to unlearn and rebuild new systems that genuinely serve the people as they are meant to.
It's been said that women and girls are conditioned to believe success is 'a seat at the table'.
It is my belief that we need a new table and one that women help build because 'equity is not about who's at the table, it's about who built it — what is served, and who benefits most'.
Anne Lawlor, Lower Yellow Rd, Waterford
Move World Cup final to facilitate All-Irelands
The GAA president Jarlath Burns has, this week, confirmed that the All-Ireland finals will continue to be played in July in 2026, with the hurling final to be played on July 19, the same day as the soccer World Cup final in America.
In these circumstances, An Taoiseach should, at the first available opportunity, make a request to US president Donald Trump to have the date of the World Cup final moved.
The ace Micheál Martin holds in making this 'deal' with Mr Trump, is his ability to deploy every ounce of Irish blarney and native cunning in convincing Keir Starmer to have the 2028 British Open played at Trump's Turnberry golf course, which, it seems the US president is becoming obsessed about.
Michael Gannon, Saint Thomas Sq, Kilkenny City
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Irish Examiner
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'To say I saw appalling stuff is an understatement': Irish soldier on fighting on Ukraine's frontline
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If I'd had gone out later, the conditions of the war would have been more apparent and my family would have worried even more,' Peter said. While he was able to keep in contact with home while fighting in Ukraine, this contact was kept to a minimum, and was essentially limited to letting them know that he was still alive. This was done through various communication channels, but Peter said he was not prepared to reveal them in order to protect others still out there who are in contact with their relatives. He was aware of other Irish people serving with the Ukrainians — although none were in his unit. Peter was posted to a special forces unit which contained a mixture of Ukrainian special forces and airborne personnel. 'I was the only non-Ukrainian in that unit. Their English was very good so communication was not an issue,' he said. Initially, he was based in Kyiv, but after two months was posted to the frontline between Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city, and Donetsk. 'To say I saw appalling stuff is an understatement. It got gradually worse as the war went on as there was heavier and heavier combat. Quite a few of my friends died,' he said. All the training he did with the Defence Forces could never have prepared him for what he saw. He said British and American soldiers he met out there, and who had fought for their countries in Iraq and Afghanistan, said it was 'even more brutal in Ukraine than those places". Sometimes, Peter and his comrades were less than 40 m from the Russian lines. The enemy would shout out 'threats of what was coming to us' and call on them to surrender. He was injured once and had to spend a week in hospital. There were times when combat didn't stop, and exhausted soldiers were forced to fight for days without any sleep. 'It was sometimes 24/7 and you would be lucky if you might get an hour to nod off. Once, there were three days of constant combat. The adrenaline would be pumping, the bullets flying and the artillery keeping you awake. You had a sense of duty to your comrades. Anyway, if you fell asleep you were dead,' he said. He managed to secure some leave and returned to Ireland when his unit was stood down for rest. 'To say we were combat fatigued would be an understatement,' he added. Peter is still seriously considering going back to Ukraine because of a 'sense of duty' to those of his comrades left behind who are still fighting. A soldier prepares a 120mm mortar to fire towards Russian army positions near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, last month. Picture: Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP And he readily admitted reports that the Russians are amassing 50,000 troops for a further push into the country 'could be a trigger to go back'. The Russians are currently building up troop numbers near Ukraine's northern Sumy region for what observers believe could be a planned summer offensive. Peter said he was constantly keeping himself updated and is in touch with comrades still fighting with his unit. Again, for security reasons, he won't divulge how this communication is happening. Any decision he makes to return to Ukraine may well be 'spontaneous', but if the Russians launch a summer offensive, he could well go back to help his comrades, a number of whom are close friends. He said one of these men has a wife who has come to Ireland to seek safety from the constant threat of a Russian missile attack. In terms of peace, Peter says while the outcome is 'unpredictable' unfortunately, it looks likely that Ukraine will have to cede some of its territory to the Russian invaders. In terms of dealing with his post-traumatic stress, he is thankful for the charity, ONE, which helps former Defence Forces personnel. 'I was quite reluctant to seek help initially. A mutual friend said I could do with some support and gave me the relevant contacts (with ONE). The friend realised I needed help. Some friends and family members said there were certain indications. I had anger issues, felt desensitised, and isolated when I came home,' he said. Peter is urging others who have returned from the frontline to contact ONE for help. 'I was unaware and then somewhat reluctant,' he said. He was initially advised to contact a GP, but said it was extremely hard to relate military experiences to a "civilian" who has never experienced them. 'You get cut off from reality and 'civies' wouldn't have a clue what you went through,' he added. (not his real name*) 'They all say they want to return to the frontline' Audra Larkin, charity ONE's veteran support officer, aaid she was currently offering support to three former Defence Forces personnel who have returned home from fighting in Ukraine. Audra Larkin, who is one of six ONE veteran support officers based around the country, said she was currently offering support to three former Defence Forces personnel who have returned home from fighting in Ukraine. Ms Larkin told the Irish Examiner she was aware of another former soldier she supported in her role with the charity who has since returned to Ukraine to continue fighting invading Russian forces. Those who have served in Ukraine continuously talk about 'the buddies' they have left behind and feel guilty for leaving them, according to Ms Larkin. 'They have said they would all go back tomorrow. They are all open about this. We outline the risks and possible consequences of doing this, but there is an overwhelming camaraderie,' she said. Ms Larkin said one of the Defence Forces' veterans she helped to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder returned to Ukraine last January. He is only in his 20s. It is understood he lost one of his friends in the fighting and was determined to return, despite the obvious risks. 'He felt a deep commitment to his comrades. This person felt guilty not being with them. This is part of a soldier's mind,' she said. She said the soldiers' desire to return to the frontline comes despite the 'harrowing stories' about what's happening in the brutal war in Ukraine, which has been raging since the Russian invasion of February 2022. She also said the charity she works with, ONE, started to see the 'emergence' of returning Irish fighters from Ukraine seeking counselling support towards the end of last year. Ms Larkin said she knew from those she was currently helping that there are more ex-members of the Defence Forces who have fought in Ukraine but have not approached ONE for help. 'We are urging them to just reach out [to us]. They will receive professional help from staff who will deal with them in the strictest confidence,' she said. Ms Larkin said it was important former soldiers are able to seek help from people who have knowledge of the military, with military backgrounds, and who can operate with their "shared language". Ms Larkin, who has many years of experience within the Defence Forces, said her background was hugely important in helping her understanding of veterans' needs. 'I've been in the Defence Forces my whole life. I was born into the Defence Forces. I grew up in the Defence Forces." As well as serving oversees herself, she also worked in addiction services. She joined ONE from private practice, having gained experience there in helping combat veterans deal with post-traumatic stress. Irish who died fighting in Ukraine A number of Irish citizens have died while fighting for Ukraine. The list of fatalities includes a former member of the elite Army Ranger Wing (ARW)) who was killed on September 19 while fighting alongside Ukrainian Special Forces. Robert Deegan, from Co Kildare, was killed while fighting in Ukraine. Robert Deegan was 29 and from Newbridge, Co Kildare. He had joined the fight shortly after the 2022 Russian invasion. He lost an eye while serving with Ukraine's Special Forces Unit that year. His injury was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) but once he recovered, he went back to fight alongside his Ukrainian comrades — going against advice from some family and friends. He was said to be 'laser-focused' on returning to Ukraine and 'deeply committed' to the Ukrainian cause. The highly-skilled soldier had served not only in the much-vaunted Ranger Wing, but was also involved in the Engineers Unit of the Defence Forces Training Centre. After his death, his family released a statement saying he died 'like a warrior', protecting his comrades and he had made "the ultimate sacrifice while staying true to his principles and character'. On the day he died he continued to fight on in the face of a Russian onslaught in order to provide cover for his colleagues' retreat. As a younger man, he was a champion cyclist who represented Ireland, and some of his family are understood to have had a long history of service with the Defence Forces. In December 2023, dual Irish-American citizen Graham Dale, aged 45, originally from Raheny in North Dublin, was killed while fighting for the Ukrainians. He had previously fought with the US Marines in Iraq and moved permanently to Dublin in 2020. Dale had joined the US Marines following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Finbar Cafferkey, from Achill, Co Mayo, was killed while battling Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk Oblas in April 2023. Finbar Cafferkey, aged 46, from Achill, Co Mayo, was killed while battling Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk Oblas in April 2023. Part of the Shell to Sea campiagn in the 2000s, he had previous combat experience in Syria helping Kurdish militia fight Islamic State insurgents. Rory Mason, 23, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, died while fighting for Ukraine's International Legion in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border in October 2022. Irish man Rory Mason was killed in action in Ukraine. His father, Rob, told the BBC: "Though we are deeply saddened at his death, we are enormously proud of his courage and determination and his selflessness in immediately enlisting to support Ukraine." "Rory was never political but he had a deep sense of right and wrong and an inability to turn the other way in the face of injustice. "Those who fought alongside Rory speak of a truly brave and courageous man who could have left at any time but chose not to. In August 2024, Alex Ryzhuk, aged 20, from Rathmines, Dublin — a drone operator — was also killed fighting for the Ukrainians. The youngest of the Irish to die fighting in Ukraine, he was born in Dublin to Ukrainian parents. News about rape and torture by Russian troops in the Ukrainian city Bucha in April 2022, as well as the deaths of relatives and friends fighting in the war are understood to what motivated Alex to leave Dublin and travel to the frontlines early in 2023.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
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Irish households' €160bn in savings could be unlocked to fund new homes
The Government should establish a State-backed housing investment vehicle to allow households to invest their savings in housing development, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has said. The society said such an initiative, similar to schemes operating in countries such as France, would enable the Government to put long-term multi-annual housing plans in place while also facilitating investment in much-needed infrastructural projects. 'Irish households' bank deposits amount to nearly €160bn, mostly in low-interest current accounts,' said the society's new president, Gerard O'Toole. 'At the same time, access to finance remains a major barrier, especially for small and medium-sized developers.' Mr O'Toole pointed out that the State is by far the largest investor in Ireland's housing delivery — it allocated over €5bn to housing in 2024. However, he said that this level of public investment is not sustainable in the long term and the State needs to explore alternative and diversified funding streams. 'A savings fund of this nature would underpin long-term planning by providing the multi-annual funding commitments housing projects require,' he said. 'It could also support longer-term budgets for several state housing schemes, including help-to-buy and vacant property grants, which are often subject to annual funding reviews and decisions.' The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) also said the new Housing Activation Office needs to commence its work urgently on clearing the many blockages which are impeding the delivery of new housing. 'The SCSI is calling for reform of the utility connection processes and earlier engagement by Uisce Éireann and the ESB with home builders to reduce delays and prioritise essential connections for housing ready for occupation,' Mr O'Toole said. 'That is why we believe the terms of reference for the Housing Activation Office must facilitate greater collaboration and transparency. Regular and effective engagement with key industry stakeholders will be key to the success of this office.'
