GWEN WOODS,
Sir, - Like Sandy McAvoy (January 24th), I too am astonished at Michael McDowell's about-face on the issue of the forthcoming abortion referendum.
This was a man whose integrity I did not doubt. Indeed, I wrote to him on at least three occasions letters of congratulations. Sometimes someone comes along the political high road who gives one hope, but inevitably they fall into the same bog of unprincipled ambition.
Your edition of January 23rd contained a photograph of a woman in Goma crossing the still warm lava. Strapped to her head was a bag which probably held all her wordly possessions. Across her shoulders, a little toddler. Behind her walked many robust young men in stout boots not caring or helping.
Goma is a third-world country, and Ireland is lucky enough to be counted among developed nations, but the reality of having children is the same.
It is practically always the same story. It is the woman who carries the baby no matter what the circumstances of its conception. - Yours, etc.,
GWEN WOODS,
Herbert Park,
Dublin 4.