Sir, – Stephen Collins’s opinion piece is a stark reminder of the danger inflicted on democracy through social media (”Ambitious, young TDs are heading for the exit. Is political life becoming unbearable? Opinion & Analysis, February 17th).
It must be wearying for those who stand for political office to be subjected to constant abuse and vilification.
Good people are being lost as a result, with many potentially excellent candidates dissuaded from putting their heads above electoral parapet.
Strict regulation and penalties are badly needed to protect those who are so often insulted and abused by “hurler on the ditch” types, whose only contribution to Irish life is to discourage and oppose. – Yours etc,
READ MORE
Faye O’Rourke’s Christmas: ‘I have a reputation for overdoing it. I splash out. It’s not in my control’
‘I know what happened in that room’: the full story of the Conor McGregor case
Sally Rooney: When are we going to have the courage to stop the climate crisis?
Ukraine fears nuclear plants are in Russia’s sights as missile strikes bring winter blackouts
NEVILLE SCARGILL,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.