Madam, - I have no wish to compound the grief of the unfortunate family of baby Bronagh Livingstone, who warrant the most sincere condolences from all of us. But I must disagree with your conclusion (Editorial, December 13th) that we are all in some way responsible for Bronagh's sad death.
How can you apportion blame, for example, to those who fought to keep maternity services at Monagahan Hospital? They "stepped outside protocols" to fight their case, but sadly lost. Or those who oppose the politics of greed, tax cuts, privatisation and the like, now regrettably demanded by a majority in this country?
With respect, those, including media, who advocate such policies, and more importantly those who vote for them, have some serious soul-searching to do.- Yours, etc.,
GRATTAN HEALY,
Spiddal,
Co Galway.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - I strongly endorse your editorial view on the tragedy of Bronagh Livingstone's death. Being a parent of three very small children, I am horrified at the unnecessary anguish and turmoil Denise Livingstone is currently enduring. I ask the question: if you do not live in within easy access of Cavan General Hospital and have a maternity emergency, is it sink or swim?
Dr Mary Henry has successfully highlighted the plight of women being unable to obtain membership of Portmarnock Golf Club. Is not utterly discriminatory to women who live within an easy distance of Monaghan General Hospital to have its maternity unit closed? Inquiries and investigations into her daughter's death are cold comfort for Denise Livingstone in the days before Christmas. - Yours, etc.,
JANE SAMMON,
Taney Grove,
Goatstown,
Dublin 14.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - Two thousand years since a heavily pregnant woman was turned away by the inn-keepers of Bethlehem, how shocking that the same thing could happen in a predominantly Christian country just before Christmas.
Shame on those responsible. - Yours, etc.,
SEAMUS LYNCH,
Seaview Park,
Portrane,
Co Dublin.