17th May, 2001
Some of the most popular programmes on television
are usually shown on Thursday night. They are shown on the
Discovery channel, ‘FBI Files’, ‘Medical
Detectives’ and ‘The Prosectors’. I watched one of
them last week where a teenage girl was raped by a middle aged
gunman. A man was eventually caught, charged and sentenced to
three life sentences, plus 34 years (he was freed after 9 years
when it was proven that he did not commit the crime). Last week
in Ireland a sexual predator/rapist Lawrence Murphy was sentenced
to 15 years for committing a shocking crime against a woman.
Murphy, who is aged 36, will probably only served about 10 years,
assuming he gets a reduction of 5 years for good behaviour. So in
the year 2011 we should have this beast walking the streets of
Ireland again. Women deserved to be protected from evil people
like Murphy. He does not deserve a second chance, if ever there
was a case for a life sentence, this was it. Does anybody know
what the maximum sentence is for this type of crime? Because if
it’s only 15 years, it needs to be changed, now!
I was very impressed with on of last weeks letters written by
“John”. He had lived in Canada during the sixties
before moving to California at the end of the decade. He wrote a
very good letter on the drink culture of Ireland and then went on
to mention the litter problem in Cork and Douglas. He wrote
exactly what I have been saying for years.... “educate the
children”. At the end of his fine letter he writes, “Educate
the teachers, to educate the children on the evils of litter”.
He finished his letter with “Start here, educate the
teachers”.
All the litter bins, advertisements, threats, fines, long term
plans in the world will not solve the problem. It will take a
Minister of Education to introduce civic pride into the school
curriculum. Everyday, for half an hour, brainwash the children (as
we were in the fifties) with a sense of pride in our country and
how we should keep it clean. Educate the teachers, to educate the
children. You’re right John, it’s the only way.
Did any of you see the condition of Douglas village on Saturday
afternoon? Appalling!! I did see one man picking up rubbish and
putting it into a plastic man. Well done, we need more like you.
What did you make of the Eurovision Song Contest? They are going
to have to change the voting system, it’s becoming a farce.
Countries voting for their neighbours, the songs are only
secondary. The best song was the French entry, and the Irish
should have come second. But, they didn’t, and now,
according to the Eurovision Broadcasting Union, “Ireland,
you are the weakest link, goodbye!” Although I have a
feeling that the EBU will let us in again next year, and after
all, “What’s another year”?
There’s a lovely little garden centre in Crosshaven run by
Barry and Betty McGovern . It’s situated up a little path
right behind the Sunday market building. Birds singing in the
trees, a stream running through the centre make it a little oasis
in Crosshaven.
What about Bertie Ahern and his partner Celia Larkin? They made
the headline’s again on this evenings news. Palestinians
being killed daily in the Middle East, tribunals on people who
were once pillars of society, job losses beginning to increase in
Ireland. I wonder do people really care who Bertie is with at
state functions? I’ve never met anybody who’s losing a
nights sleep over Bertie and Celia’s relationship. There are
more important matters that should concern our church leaders.
The word ‘priority’ springs to mind.
I met County Council foreman George Dulea the other day in a
local shop. I mentioned to him that there was a pothole in
Shamrock Lawn and it was beginning to increase in size. “No
problem,” says George. 45 minutes later Council workers
turned up and within a few minutes the pothole had been attended
to. Well done lads!
Congratulations to the Silver Key in Ballinlough on the beautiful
job which has made this well known establishment a must for
anybody who wishes to eat and drink in such pleasant surroundings.
I called over there last Saturday and it was filled with families
having lunch on Communion Day.
Finally, I hope the weather will be good this Saturday for
Communion Day, as it was last Saturday.
Bye for Now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
