Dear Sir, – Sinn Féin has a peculiar method of carrying out justice and instilling discipline, a method that never ceases to bewilder. An investigation into allegations leveled against a veteran and high-ranking member took internally for three months. However, a day after the member’s resignation, the case has been forwarded to An Garda Síochána. Furthermore, Mary Lou McDonald, who understandably is not in the best situation, attempts to present this in a positive light (News, October 13th). Indeed, Sinn Féin has a unique way of operating – Yours truly, Pat O’Brien from Dublin 6.
Dear Sir, – Sinn Féin appears to struggle with managing its own affairs. This lack of organisation becomes particularly problematic when housing stability is the primary concern for the forthcoming election – Yours very truly, Aidan Roddy from Dublin 18.
Dear Sir, – Political parties of the present age require transparency and openness. Voters have the right to clearly understand who’s at the helm of all contesting parties and ask the critical questions – Sincerely yours, Mary Barrett from Raheny, Dublin 5.
Dear Sir, – As an election approaches, the media seems to stir up distractions from the real issues confronting the Irish populace every time. These issues include housing cost, childcare, healthcare, rising cost of living and the potential effects of climate change among others. Before local elections, there was an uproar in the media about immigrants around Dublin canals, something that has since been rarely discussed. Despite this being a tricky issue for Sinn Féin politically, it’s not one of the main issues most people face.
As we approach another looming election, we are predictably subjected to an extensive media frenzy concerning Sinn Féin and issues that, quite frankly, are irrelevant to the day-to-day lives of people. Individuals cease membership from political parties frequently. Reprimanding and ousting members, even those in high-ranking positions, is a common occurrence in political parties. Character references have been offered by political personas from every party under doubtful conditions. There is plenty of preceding evidence to validate these points.
However, I am becoming increasingly concerned that we are witnessing an erosion of one of the key supports of a robust democracy, an impartial press. A concerted effort seems to be underway to concentrate on the inner workings of a single party.
What’s unfolding within Sinn Féin is not unique – it’s a phenomenon that has been seen in almost all parties before.
Nonetheless, it is significant to point out that the volume of coverage is excessively disproportionate and doesn’t hold much consequence to the daily lives of the populace. It appears that the media, in the run-up to the elections, is lobbing distractions instead of addressing real issues, and it seems to be, dishearteningly, to the disadvantage of one particular party. – Yours sincerely,
FABIAN McGRATH,
Dublin 8.