Sir, - Like many, it is with a sense of pride that I consider myself a supporter of Dana Rosemary Scallon MEP and the work she has done for the people of Ireland. I can well remember in the early 1980s a small, but committed group got together here in Galway. We walked in procession 25 miles to Loughrea carrying a statue of Our Lady of Guadaloupe while at the same time saying the Rosary every half-hour. The cows inside the fields were most enthusiastic about our little group and at one stage we were almost afraid they wanted to join us as they started buckleapin' along.
People, on the other hand viewed us in a far more cautious manner, a perception that plagued the pro-life effort for many years. Doctors, barristers and speakers of great eloquence all tried to get our message across to the Irish people but had only limited success. Finally, along came Dana Rosemary Scallon.
While the experts debated "till you were blue in the face", Dana simply spoke straight from, and to, the heart. Her simple faith and her kindness even to those who were scolding her for her views eventually demolished the Berlin Wall of misconceptions about pro-life values. As a result Dana was elected MEP for Connacht/Ulster and over the last number of years has taken a courageous stand for family values in Brussels, the UN the US and here in Ireland. Much of her hard work goes unreported here, however, so impressive has she been, that the Fianna Fáil party emblazoned the pro-life symbol on all its posters for the recent referendum. We have come a long way since that day when the cows were buckleapin' in the fields. What a pity that those drafting the proposal made such a mess of it.
Many politicians were electorally unsuccessful in the recent national elections, including Dana. It's only human that many feel crushed by the defeat. However, it is said that happy experiences are enjoyable and painful experiences, if handled properly, help one to grow.
It is my wish that Dana and other disappointed politicians can view their immediate setback as stepping-stones to a brighter future where they will once again work for the peace and prosperity of everyone on this little island of Ireland we call home. - Yours, etc.,
BENEDICT DONNELLY,
Gleannbhán,
Ballybane,
Galway.