Cuireann An Phoblacht fáilte roimh litreacha ónár léitheoirí. Scríobh i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla, 200 focal ar a méid. Déantar giorrú ar litreachta más gá. Cuir do litir chuig [email protected]
An Phoblacht welcomes readers’ letters. Write in Irish or English, 200 words maximum. Letters may be edited for brevity. Send your letters to [email protected]. No attachments please

Heeere’s Eoiny!

I SEE from today’s Irish Times (Thursday 16 April) that Fianna Fáil Mad Axeman Eoin Ryan MEP and Dublin Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne launched their European election campaign not by saying what the wild-eyed Eoin has done to warrant re-election but with an attack on Sinn Féin and people who voted ‘No’ to the Lisbon Treaty.
Fianna Fáil or Fianna Failure?
TOM DUNNE,
Drumcondra,
Dublin

US/Cuba relations

The comments from the US administration on relations with Cuba will be welcomed by most people as means to opening dialogue between these 2 great nations. As a means of showing some empathy with Cuba. The President of the USA should immediately order the release of the Miami Five.
PAUL DORAN,
Dublin 22.

Disgust as popular west Cork radio show axed

WE the undersigned elected representatives and candidates for Sinn Féin in west Cork, on behalf of the party membership, supporters, constituents and the wider community, wish to add our voice of opposition and disgust at the recent unannounced termination of the West Cork Today programme on C103FM.
The manner in which this popular programme, with its colourful presenter was effectively guillotined off the airwaves is a disgrace. That the station management made no statement, gave no explanation and refused to even acknowledge the issue on air is appalling, and an even bigger crime than the ending of the programme itself. It smacks of everything that west Cork people abhor – unaccountable, cocky bureaucrats who have no empathy or understanding for our people but who have taken away a very popular service at the stroke of a pen.
This policy is on a par with the closing of schools, Garda Stations, Post Offices, shops and pubs, ferry services, telephone boxes, ESB Offices, Bus routes, Hospital Beds and factories. Decisions being made by people not living here, whose sole focus is a balance sheet. (In this case it was 12 million pounds sterling flush!)
For many elderly and people living alone, those in hospitals and those unable to access their communities, West Cork Today provided a vital link to what was going on. Debates and discussions about issues close to home aired on the show had thousands of people talking about these very issues at dinner tables, in pubs and bingo halls throughout West Cork.
We (the people of West Cork) are now effectively censored, because despite what the station managers say, it is physically and scientifically impossible to “enhance the service” as they claim by cutting it! We’ve heard that trash before from other spindoctors. This is no reflection on those involved in the new Cork Today programme and we are sure they will try to bring balance. But devoting 15 hours/week to cover issues from the whole of County Cork is a farce.
We need West Cork Today back on air, not just for politicians (those who are willing to be interviewed!), but for every man, woman and child who has an opinion about something who up to recently, could pick up the phone and air it on West Cork Today.
We call on those who made this criminal decision to reverse it as soon as possible.
If they don’t then we think we should look to the inspiration that the Cork Swansea Ferry Campaign has provided. When the ‘Sea’ was abandoned by a provider over two years ago, when most politicians since then showed no interest, the ordinary people took possession of that cause and have successfully brought it to a conclusion. Can we do the same to provide a genuine, local, community radio service for West Cork in the time ahead?
Let Mr. Geary and Co be aware. The West’s awake! We will not be treated as second class citizens so that you can claim your bonus at the end of the year.
Is muidne, le meas,
Cllr. John Desmond, Bandon.
Cllr. Tim O’ Leary, Bantry.
Cllr. Paul Hayes, Clonakilty.
Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Cloich na Coillte.
Cllr. Donnchadha Ó Seaghdha, Skibbereen.
Rachel McCarthy, Bandon.
Mary Horgan, Bantry.
Sam Simpson, Bantry.
Noel Harrington, Kinsale.