Sir, - The recent sunny weather has brought warnings from our health authorities regarding the dangers of over-exposure to certain ultra-violet rays.
There may be further risks to the citizenry of this island from a new source of mischief, known as the Healy-Raes. Over-exposure to these can result in nausea, irritation, indignation and anger, coupled with a sudden urge to apply one's booted foot to the rear-end of certain individuals living in rural Ireland.
The danger stems from a diminution in the protective layers of Christian charity and the forgetting of our Irish history of the past two centuries or so. It can be dealt with by a return to compassion for those unfortunates who are forced to flee cruel and repressive regimes and dire poverty in their own native lands, and whose pitiful state tends to be obscured by this new and unwelcome malady when they seek refuge in this land of ours. No prescription is required. - Yours, etc.,
David Grant, Mount Pleasant, Waterford.