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Irish Independent

Letters: In a bikini or flour sack, it doesn't matter, women are always objectified

I'm far more likely to see a man in town without his shirt any day of the week, yet I don't see think-pieces on men needing to be respectable in public and keep their shirts on. Cregan also stated, 'with all the hard-fought battles for women's rights – including the right not to be sexually objectified – it defies logic to see women putting themselves in this position'. It defies logic that this needs to continue to be said: it doesn't matter if we wear a bikini, a flour sack, oversized jumpers and jeans, or a moo-moo on the beach, at the supermarket, or in the privacy of our own homes – someone will find a way to objectify us, police our bodies, and blame us for the reactions and actions of others. If you ever need a sobering reality check, please review Jennifer Sprague's exhibit titled 'What Were You Wearing?' And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Emmy Smith Kearney, Co Cork Mo Chara and the Kerry footballers both stood up to negativity on big stages Kneecap and the Kerry footballers made the headlines this weekend one in Glastonbury, and the other at Croke Park. Kneecap drew attention for all the wrong reasons with the British prime minister saying it would be wrong for the BBC to live-stream their gig. Kerry, too, were being dismissed as a-one man band (who else but Joe Brolly) while local stalwarts such as Darragh O Sé and Éamon Fitzmaurice were inflicting doom and gloom on their brothers in arms ('Imperious O'Shea hits high notes to prove Kerry are far from a one-man band, Irish Independent, June 30). But by golly did both acts deliver on the main stage where it mattered most. Mo Chara shouted at his wildly enthusiastic supporters at a packed West Holts field that 'I am a free man', while Jack O'Connor's team let loose after 40 minutes in the cauldron of Croke Park to bury Armagh with a deluge of unanswered points led by that quiet and unassuming gent, Seánie O'Shea. Kneecap will be undaunted for their next court appearance nor will Kerry fear Tyrone. The summer has just began in earnest. ADVERTISEMENT With commiserations to your erudite and frequent contributor on these pages from Armagh. Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry One ritual was head and shoulders above the rest on our Croke Park journey July 1 marks the feast day of Saint Oliver Plunkett, and it brings back a particular memory. Before the Drogheda bypass existed, my father had a ritual for every Armagh pilgrimage to Croke Park: pull in at St Peter's Church, file us inside, kneel before Oliver's remarkably intact head, and say a prayer. After the defeat to Kerry on Sunday, we won't be going back for the semi-final or the final – but we've had a couple of good years. I've been thinking about the number of Armagh fans who've passed through Drogheda recently, chasing the dream. Sadly, I'd wager many have never stopped in to see the head. It may not change the result, but as my father would have said, it does no harm to ask. Then again, after Sunday, maybe even Saint Oliver turned a blind eye. There's always next year. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Kneecap, just like the rest of us, are simply disgusted by Netanyahu's vile action In relation to Eddie Naughton's letter about Kneecap ('Kneecap's terrorist comments ignored,' Sunday Independent, June 29), where he states 'What does it say about us as a nation when we make heroes of people who are accused of singing the praises of an Islamic terror outfit that slaughtered hundreds of young people at a music festival simply because they were Jews?' In my opinion – just like most Irish people – Kneecap do not support an 'Islamic terror outfit', but are sickened at Benjamin Netanyahu's bombardment resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people, while also trying to eliminate Gaza from the map. Seamus McLoughlin, Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim EU losing credibility on human rights as atrocities allowed continue in Gaza The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has recorded that Israel has killed and injured journalists with impunity since October 2023, 'making it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992'. As of June 16, 185 journalists and media workers were confirmed killed in Gaza. The CPJ also indicates that 113 journalists have been reported as injured and two more are missing. It is clear that no one is safe in Gaza. Journalists, medical staff, ambulance drivers, teachers and aid workers have been killed in significant numbers. This monstrous slaughter cannot be allowed to go on without end. It is abundantly clear that the EU-Israel Association Agreement – which allows preferential treatment for Israel in its relationship with the EU – should be immediately suspended. If it is not, then the EU will surely lose any shred of credibility it might still retain when it speaks about international humanitarian law and the upholding of universal human rights. Fintan Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin Musicians being targeted for comments as Israeli PM continues unabated What is the difference between singer Bob Vylan's comments 'Kill the IDF' at the Glastonbury music festival, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu being indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the innocent Palestinian people? If Vylan is to be prosecuted then so, too, should Israel's prime minister. Dominic Shelmerdine, London A cool feat, but I think my trusty fridge-freezer wins the longevity competition In his letter, Tom Gilsenan mentioned that his Hotpoint fridge-freezer is 30 years old ('Our fridge is still going strong after 30-odd years – can anyone beat that? Irish Independent, June 28). We have an upright Philips-Whirlpool fridge-freezer that is 37 years old and still working away. Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Cork