Letters to the Editor: Heroic Rory and Brian followed in the footsteps of Ledwidge

(EDITOR, MEATH CHRONICLE)

Dear sir - It was very moving to hear fine tributes to a young Irishman of 23, and a true European hero and freedom fighter from Dunboyne, Rory Mason, who sadly lost his life on 28th September, serving in a noble cause, 3,506 kms/2178 miles from home.

Rory follows in the steps of another heroic young Meath man who 926 kms/575 miles from home, the poet, labourer, councillor and trade unionist from Slane [27 Miles North of Rory] L/Cpl 16,139 Francis Ledwidge [in 1 Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers] who - at 29 - lost his life, also killed in action, on 31st July, 1917 at Boezinge, near Ieper-Ypres in Flanders, resisting another brutal invader - 105 years and two months before Rory.

It is also remarkable that another Meath man, Brian Meagher, a married father-of-two from Ratoath [from only seven miles north of Rory] and an Irish Army veteran of 15 years, has been wounded in the same Kharkiv region of Eastern Ukraine - resisting - as was Rory - what Francis Ledwidge rightly called "an enemy common to our civilisation".

All these men, and their principles and courage, are a credit - and an inspiration - to all of Ireland and to Meath, and their families will have the deepest sympathy of all of us, in Ukraine or Ireland, as well as our admiration and gratitude.

Yours

Tom Carew,

Ranelagh, Dublin.

All's well that ends well... not quite!

(EDITOR, MEATH CHRONICLE,)

Dear sir - I refer to your article of 2nd September last in relation to St John's Well and the compromise reached between the county council and the landowner in relation to making the water accessible again to the public.

I am a resident of the area in question. At this point, the access site for the water has been constructed, and water has been pumped successfully from source to the roadside. The final part of the project is underway, installation of 50 feet of premier fencing and hedging starting at the gate of the property and concluding at the entrance to farm buildings at the top of the road. The cost of this project to the council is alleged to be in excess of €100,000 but when questioned, a local councillor for the area was unable to provide a final, defined cost.

It seems to me in the time of a cost of living and energy crisis, when families are struggling to cope with skyrocketing utility bills and the cost of a weekly shop increasing week on week, the spend of possibly €100,000+ on a project of this nature, feels unwise at a minimum and downright reckless at worst.

Whilst understanding the council's desire to rectify a situation which had caused rightful hurt in the local community, it baffles me how councilors could have considered this an appropriate spend, particularly at this time. One must ask, were there not better uses for this money?

Yours,

G Keane,

Warrenstown.

The budget leaves family carers behind...

(EDITOR, MEATH CHRONICLE,)

Dear sir - Again carers are not recognised as a working community.

Our hours are not rostered, no breaks, no annual leave.

Saving the State hundreds of thousands each year, yet the State views carers as the burden..

One off payment to cushion the blow.

Means testing causes three out of four carers to fall outside the net, penalised when our spouse/partners income is contributing to state finances.

Means tested for fuel allowance, yet our heat and electricity consumption is significantly higher than the average home.

Again the health system fails to put in measures to support families waiting on assessments, supports , and services. Our children are left hanging in the balance, every year they fall further behind.

The financial strain adds more pressure to an already vulnerable family. When you rise every day you prep for a battle, once your feet hit the ground it begins.

When you care for a child with additional needs, be it profound or a hidden disability there is nothing, absolutely nothing that is guaranteed or easy to access...

The system fails year on year, the state fails to forecast and plan for a future that is inclusive and supportive of all.

The State has failed to see that by failing the carer, failing to support financially and with services they place the burden back on the State.

When the curtain falls, there will be one fine mess to address.

Yours,

Tracy Carroll,

Fordstown.