By Letters To The Editor

Copyright independent

However, Haughey had many legislative achievements that have stood the test of time. In April 1964, as justice minister he approved the nomination of Eileen Kennedy as the first woman appointed to the District Court, later that year the Criminal Justice Act abolished the death penalty for all but a limited number of serious offences.

The Succession Act of 1965 for the first time gave women legal rights to their husbands’ estates.

As finance minister, Haughey gave free travel and free electricity to pensioners, and income tax exemptions were given to artists whose work was deemed to be of cultural merit.

Haughey was fond of saying that he was from all four corners of Ireland as during elections where he was from remained tactically vague. He was born in Castlebar and delivered by Enda Kenny’s grand-aunt. His parents were from Derry. He considered himself to be a son of Kerry as well as being a northsider from Donnycarney. Haughey was possibly Ireland’s most Shakespearean politician, what a tangled web he did weave.

Kieran O’ Regan, Dublin 9

Were newspapers the first influencers? I know I’ve been swayed by editorials

I keep reading about how people are being “groomed” on social media, and frankly, I don’t quite understand it. You see, I’m about 50 years too old to get involved in all that.

My own “feeds” are more -porridge than platforms, and if I tried -“influencing” anyone, it would only be my wife to put the kettle on.

That said, I do read five newspapers a day, and have done for many years.

Which leads me to wonder: have I been quietly “groomed” all this time by the press? Sixty-five years of -headlines, columns and -commentaries – if that’s not -conditioning, I don’t know what is.

My mother, a wise woman, always told me as a child: “Always read the editorial – it’ll tell you what the country is really thinking.” Dutifully, I obeyed. But after decades of -following her advice, I’m left pondering, are these newspapers the original “algorithms”?

Am I merely the finished -product of a lifetime of careful editorial nudging?

After all, some reports suggest that the murderer of Charlie Kirk had been radicalised online. If so, perhaps I should be grateful that my own “radicalisation” came via newspapers rather than TikTok.

At least I’ve been groomed into a reasonably civilised version of myself – though possibly with ink on my fingers, a suspicious fondness for the letters page, and a mixture of bewilderment and admiration for those astute correspondents who can say so much, so eloquently, in so very few words.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

Ireland’s women put in big effort and fought so hard in the Rugby World Cup

What a magnificent effort by our women’s rugby team on Sunday. Their courage, skill and determination was a credit to all of them.

We may not have won the game but hopefully they have won the hearts of all sports fans with their -performance.

Up to the final seconds they were fighting to win a place in the semi-finals. Well done to all.

Donough O’Reilly, Stillorgan, Dublin

US is at crossroads with extreme voices on left and right stirring up problems

America is more divided than ever. I am deeply concerned that perhaps a line in the sand has been crossed. I think we are already at a very fraught moment in US politics and in -American civic discourse.

There is this very strong element on the left saying that Charlie Kirk got what he deserved for espousing his beliefs. Although Mr Kirk’s beliefs were controversial, this man never deserved to be executed.

We then have those people who pretend that political violence or -extremism only comes from the left and are issuing what appears to be calls for retribution and for something of a second civil war.

One hopes that the voices of -moderation will win out.

John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Censorship has made us think debate is dangerous and now we see the fallout

“Je Suis Charlie” was the world’s -civilised response to the Paris -terrorist attacks in 2015.

But, in the decade since, Western governments, universities and the media embraced censorship in many forms: no platforming, trigger -warnings and shadow bans.

This mollycoddling has taught a generation that debate is dangerous.

And that intolerance is now -bearing strange fruit with author -Salman Rushdie stabbed, writer -Graham Linehan arrested and conservative activist Charlie Kirk murdered.

Once more with feeling: Je Suis Charlie.

Aidan Harte, Naas, Co Kildare

There are two issues I will raise with any presidential canvasser on my doorstep

The failure of both government -parties to discontinue -refuelling American fighter planes at -Shannon Airport and to implement the -Occupied Territories Bill will determine how I will vote and greet canvassers during the upcoming presidential election campaign.

I am ashamed at the weak position of my government on those two issues.

How much more must Palestine and her people suffer at the hands of Israel and its backers?

Sheila Ward, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan

Passenger cap move takes no account of the people who will be affected by it

On reports about the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, (‘Coalition moves to scrap passenger cap at Dublin Airport in multi-billion euro boost to -economy,’ Independent.ie, -September 14), I suggest once again that our politicians move to assist the -millionaires, billionaires and -trillionaires – just as they did when the banks “crashed” – protecting the wealthy investors with little or no regard for the “average” person.

It seems the people whose lives will actually be disrupted are irrelevant.

But we the electorate continue to elect these politicians.

So who is to blame?

Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Cork