Sir, – As a child in 1956, I was shocked by the images of the brutal repression of the Hungarian uprising, which were displayed in the square of our Co Leitrim village. Today I am shocked and disturbed by the images of the rough treatment being inflicted by some on the refugees at the border of a free Hungary.
Such treatment of people in desperate circumstances is not appropriate for a member of the European Union. – Yours, etc,
EAMON FITZPATRICK,
Sligo.
Sir, – The cauldron of emotion that is the migrant issue needs to be seasoned with some common sense and sober sentiment.
Refugees fleeing war are entitled to, and should be given, safe haven in the first country they reach which can provide it. Those truly in fear of their lives will not have a menu of demands, though understandably they may have preferences. Safe is safe.
Illegal migrants seek to enter and remain in a country without that country’s express permission. There are many thousands of illegal Irish, mostly economic migrants, in the US and elsewhere doing just that.
Any reasonable citizen of any country would surely agree that a state must exercise control of who enters and remains in its sovereign territory. Any reasonable state would seek to ensure that criminal organisations and people-traffickers do not subvert, thwart and undermine its rule of law (while becoming very rich in the process). Might is not right, nor are numbers alone. Common sense must prevail. This is both the task and duty of politics – to think strategically, act in the long-term interest and make hard but fair decisions; otherwise we serve only the radicalised, the intolerant and the criminal – on all sides. – Yours, etc,
PATRICIA MULKEEN,
Ballinfull,
Co Sligo.