Sir, Ireland has been suffering sub zero temperatures. The homeless agonise while they crouch in or near shop doorways. Bus passengers freeze in queues awaiting buses which are less frequent in the festive season". Pensioners freeze while they consider whether they can afford to put on another peat briquette. Drivers trying to get to work attempt to cope with flat batteries, and their neighbours help them with jump leads where possible.
Yet none of this is news, according to the RTE Bulletin at 18.00 hours this evening (December 28th). The big news is that bookmakers have lost £10,000,000 as a result of the cold snap. They have my sympathy.
Obviously, RTE executives have a different concept of what constitutes news from ordinary people. Yours, etc., Kincora Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3.