Sir, – As I write, diggers are breaking ground in north Dublin in the search for the body of a missing child, presumed dead. The public’s concern and outrage are entirely understandable. As Kitty Holland asked: “How can a child just disappear without the State even noticing?”(September 5th).
In response, there have been calls to review all cases in which Tusla engaged with children during the Covid-19 period. While well-intentioned, such a proposal demands careful scrutiny. Reviewing nearly 38,000 cases poses a significant logistical, practical, and resource challenge for both Tusla and its overseeing department. The outcomes of such a review are uncertain, and we must ask whether this is the most effective use of limited resources at this time.
The choice to focus specifically on the Covid-19 period requires additional clarification. Many of the systemic issues – staffing shortages, recruitment difficulties, and resource constraints – long predate the pandemic and persist today.
Covid did, however, exacerbate the invisibility of vulnerable children.
RM Block
At UCD, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Galway, we conducted research with social workers during this time.
They expressed deep concern about not being able to see children in the community.
Their usual “eyes and ears” – schools, public health nurses, community organisations, and clubs – were absent, meaning signs of vulnerability went unnoticed and unreported.
While referrals to Tusla declined during the pandemic, we also witnessed a troubling rise in domestic violence – both in Ireland and internationally. This was reflected in a spike in referrals categorised as “emotional abuse”, a term that often serves as a proxy for domestic violence.
Under Operation Faoiseamh, gardaí made efforts to reconnect with victims of domestic violence in 2020, referring cases to Tusla where concerns persisted.
This contributed to the increase in emotional abuse referrals, particularly in cases involving children exposed to coercive control and harm.
If we are to review all Covid-era cases involving Tusla, we must recognise that many will be rooted in domestic violence and abuse. Re-engaging with these families requires exceptional care. It must be done safely, sensitively, and by professionals with the appropriate training and experience – so as not to re-traumatise or further endanger those involved.
These considerations aside, we must await the full facts surrounding both Kyran Durnan and the child currently being searched for in Dublin.
Only then can we identify specific systemic failures that demand urgent attention.
In the meantime, we already know much about what needs to improve – and with a budget approaching, we must act on that knowledge without delay. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOSEPH MOONEY,
School of Social Policy,
Social Work and Social Justice,
University College Dublin.
More MetroLink musings
Sir, – I wish to respond to recent letters published on September 10th questioning the case for the MetroLink Project.
All road and rail projects follow narrow corridors – their strength lies in their connectivity.
The M50 is a road of national importance as it connects so many routes. MetroLink is the public transport equivalent to the M50.
It will serve residents of the growing suburbs of west Dublin via interchange at Glasnevin Station to both DART+ West and DART South West.
It will serve residents of existing Dart lines via an interchange at Tara Street Station.
Anyone using Intercity train services to/from Dublin can also avail of this connectivity either directly or via interchange to a Dart line.
Can we please get on with it and build this M50! – Yours, etc,
KEVIN SMITH,
Cabra,
Dublin 7.
A Prague suggestion
Sir, – Colm Walsh, in praise of Prague, wonders why we can’t have nice things too? (Letters, September 11th).
Well, the answer is simple. Our cities and towns reflect the people inhabiting them.
As was once remarked to me: “It’s a great little country, pity about the people.” Why not swap Prague for Dublin and after a year Colm can give us an update? – Yours, etc
DENIS O’DONOGHUE,
Moate,
Co Westmeath.
Theatre antics
Sir, – Recent correspondence regarding distractions at the theatre took me back over 50 years to Saturday afternoon matinees at the long gone Fairview Cinema in Dublin.
Prior to a showing of the epic The Greatest Story Ever Told, an usherette who was maybe a few years older than the audience told us “to be quiet and behave ourselves as this is a very holy film!” – Yours, etc,
KIERAN McHUGH,
Howth,
Co Dublin.
What would we do?
Sir, – It is of note that some of the Russian drones that entered Polish airspace were shot down in a Nato operation involving Polish and Dutch fighter jets, an Italian early-warning AWACS aircraft and a German Patriot air-defence system.
This begs the question: what would we do if we were ever attacked? – Yours, etc,
CHRIS FITZPATRICK,
Terenure,
Dublin 6.
Going for Gavin
Sir, – A large minority of Fianna Fáil parliamentary party members clearly have reservations as to Jim Gavin’s suitability as that party’s candidate in the forthcoming presidential election.
Notwithstanding his service in Óglaigh na hÉireann and the Irish Aviation Authority and his community service through GAA and other civic tasks he has undertaken, I can understand their reluctance.
The man actually gave straight answers to questions posed by the media on issues as diverse as the Triple Lock, abortion and the gay marriage referendum. He has also demonstrated an ability to refrain from unnecessary or unwarranted commentary throughout his public service and GAA careers, a trait which appears to have attracted negative commentary in the media.
He would likely make an excellent president, but will straight, honest answers cut it in what will be a political contest for that office? – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O’DWYER,
Cork.
Sir, – Jim Gavin spoke about reconciliation after his successful bid to become the Fianna Fáil candidate for the presidency.
I suggest he will need to put in a very strong campaign in Mayo. – Yours, etc,
Dr EDWARD HARTY,
Bealadangan,
Co Galway.
Sir, – Jim Gavin as president? What a dreadful waste of very obvious talent and competence.
Hopefully he does not succeed, and is then given the opportunity to apply his skills in public life for years to come.
“Infrastructure czar” sounds good. – Yours, etc,
VINCENT NORDELL,
Clontarf,
Dublin.
Students and accommodation
Sir, – I listened with a heavy heart to students speaking on the radio this week about their difficulties in getting suitable accommodation for college. Worse still, nurses, engineers, medical students, etc, all alluded to their intention to leave the country for a better life once they graduate due to their primary concern regarding their inability to ever own a home.
This should serve as a wake up call for our Government which should immediately declare a national crisis .
If the graduates do leave, which they will, we will be facing a serious reduction in the birthrate, the number of taxpaying workers and a chronic shortage of qualified people to look after an increasing ageing population.
Michael McDowell’s article (“Here is everything that is wrong in Ireland’s planning system in one project,” September 8th) is a wake-up call.
The Government need to change the law now and declare a national accommodation emergency which puts the needs of the many above the proclivity of serial objectors.
If necessary, call a referendum and put responsibility for housing delivery under the Taoiseach’s remit.
If the Chinese can build a 26-block, pre-fabricated apartment building in less than 24 hours, then why can’t we ? – Yours, etc,
VERNON RUSHE,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.
Electricity prices
Sir, – Regarding the announcement by Energia of the increase in their energy prices to come in October, it seems curious to me that what has not been picked up on is the simultaneous reduction in their feed-in tariff for microgeneration.
Apparently this is to reduce from 20c to 18.5c per kWh.
What has also not been mentioned is the practice of quite significant, and often generous, discounts for new customers. So much for customer loyalty.
We will be changing our electricity provider. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY MORAN,
Co Donegal.
Murder of
Charlie Kirk
Sir, – The assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah was a heinous crime and should be utterly condemned from all sides of the political spectrum. It is difficult to ascertain the motive behind this killing but whatever the intention, it will most certainly backfire.
The motive may never be fully clear, but one certainty is that violence never silences an idea – it amplifies it. Far from extinguishing a voice, this act risks multiplying it, driving those in the political middle ground towards the very extremes the assassin may have sought to oppose.
Beyond the political reverberations lies the deeper human tragedy: a wife bereft of her husband, children robbed of their father, and a family now forced to navigate a grief that no public debate can mend.
Whatever our disagreements, they pale beside the simple truth that our common humanity has been diminished. In this moment, it is not partisanship that is required, but compassion. Not gloating, but dignity. Not division, but grace. – Yours, etc
GEOFF SCARGILL,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Irish Open at Doonbeg
Sir, – After the extraordinary excitement, particularly the roars and reception to all the golfers in the K Club last weekend, it is truly disappointing to hear an announcement that next year’s Irish Open is moving to Doonbeg golf course, where the ownership will no doubt cast a long and lingering shadow over the event for next 12 months.
Golfers and spectators deserve better than “running the gauntlet” to justify attending. Perish the thought that the owner would turn up on one or any day – note the reaction at the US Open tennis event (and that’s from his own crowd).
I am all for moving it to Clare – Lahinch Golf Club played a blinder in 2019 and Doonbeg is a beautiful spot – but Irish golf does not need an association with such a facility. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN MURRAY,
Liscannor,
Co Clare.
Sir, – Wouldn’t it send a powerful message to Donald Trump if the public and players boycotted next year’s Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg. – Yours, etc,
TOM KELLY,
Broadstone,
Dublin 7.
EU needs to do more on Palestine
Sir, – Your report is absolutely correct to refer to the sanctions against Israel proposed by Ursula von der Leyen as “partial” and “limited” (“Von der Leyen proposes partial suspension of trade deal with Israel,” September 11th).
The EU has behaved shamefully during the current Gaza catastrophe, with Ms von der Leyen initially expressing strong support for Israel, while member states such as Germany continued to supply Israel with munitions.
The European Commission president is now tabling sanctions only on so-called “violent” Israeli settlers in the West Bank and on “extremist” Israeli government ministers, alongside other limited measures.
All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, a position reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice in July 2024 in an advisory opinion that insisted on an immediate end to Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian land.
Yes, some settlers are more violent than others, but all are engaged in a collective, state-backed effort to illegally seize Palestinian territory. The intention is both the creation of a greater Israel and the extinguishing of hopes for Palestinian statehood.
With regard to “extremist” ministers, the Israeli cabinet as a whole is responsible for the horror that has been inflicted on Palestinian civilians.
Yes, some are more openly aggressive and vocal in their anti-Palestinian racism than others, but all have backed the monstrous actions taken in Gaza. Binyamin Netanyahu himself is still the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Has this been forgotten?
Movement by the EU on sanctions against Israel will certainly be welcomed by most people as a good thing (if they actually happen), but only if these are a first step and not treated as an alternative to deep, purposeful action. Considerably more needs to be done than what has been proposed by Ms von der Leyen. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN LANE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It’s somewhat ironic that Paul Williams views the Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha as a legitimate response, on the grounds that countries should not be “supporting and sheltering” terrorists (Letters, September 11th).
In November last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Binyamin Netanyahu for war crimes, yet this hasn’t stopped Mr Netanyahu and other members of his cabinet from enjoying diplomatic support and shelter in countries such as the US, UK and Hungary since those warrants were issued.
Mr Williams may not see any similarity between the war crimes of a group such as Hamas and those of a country like Israel, but, thankfully, much of the world does and, belatedly, punitive measures against Israel are finally being drawn up by the EU.
When looking at this moral equivalence between terrorism and state terrorism, it was US journalist William Blum who put it best when he said: “Terror is the poor man’s war, war is the rich man’s terror.” – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN DOHERTY,
Co Wicklow.
