Pray for peace in Gaza

EDITOR –  While we all hope and pray that the peace efforts in Gaza will continue, there is no doubt that the plight suffered by the children in Gaza for the past two years is a permanent stain on humanity.

According to the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) the main victims of the ongoing assault on Gaza has been a group that were, by far, the most defenceless and furthest removed from all that was driving Israel’s insane campaign of death and destruction: children.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of (UNRWA), aptly described the Israeli offensive as ‘a war on children…a war on their childhood and their future.’

His stark warning was echoed by UN chief, Antonio Guterres, who said in a recent General Assembly speech: ‘If there is a hell on earth, it is the lives of children in Gaza’. The UN chief went on to state that ‘in recent months almost 70% of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza were children and women’.

According to UN figures, since the war began more than 18,000 children have been killed, and nearly 40,000 have lost one or both of their parents. In addition, there are more child amputees per capita in Gaza than anywhere else in the world.

A recent report by UNICEF Ambassador, James Elder, stated ‘We’re almost two years into this war and on average, 27 children are killed every single day. This means that a classroom of girls and boys have been violently killed every day for almost two years, in any sense this is a war on children’

The most gruesome aspect of the carnage of Gazan children, is the fact that it’s the result of a manmade conflict, between an extreme right wing Israeli administration and Hamas terrorists.

Of course, this sickening conflict could be brought to an end long before now, if US President Donald Trump halted the supply of bombs, arms and immense financial support to Israel.

For the sake of the Gazan children, let’s hope and pray, that the current peace effort will succeed, and the great fundraising effort by UNICEF for the children of Gaza will continue to be supported.

Diarmuid Cohalan,

Ballinhassig.

Cancer trials benefit the individual and the State

EDITOR -    There is scarcely a family in Ireland that has not been affected by cancer in some way. Thankfully, there has been huge progress in finding and treating the disease.

A new report published by Cancer Trials Ireland has found that not only do trials save lives and improve outcomes for patients, but they also generate substantial financial savings for the State.

A sample of 18 cancer trials involving 249 patients found savings of almost €15 million were delivered to the State from 2021 to 2025, almost equal to the total Government funding for Cancer Trials Ireland over the past 20 years. Of course, the true level of savings generated by cancer trials is likely to be much higher, not to mention the inward investment created.

It’s why Cancer Trials Ireland is urging the Government to significantly increase funding of cancer trials, that will not only make life better for patients, but that will actually save itself money in other areas of the health service.

People who take part in cancer trials are helping to find answers to cancer for future generations. Trials also bring access to new treatments that would otherwise be unavailable to patients here.

Equally, it’s important to emphasise that they are highly regulated, with patients closely monitored by their study doctor and nurse support team.

Any readers interested in finding out more about cancer trials should just ask their doctor or healthcare professional or call the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freefone 1800 200 700.

A list of current trials is also available at the cancer trials website.

Angela Clayton-Lea,

Chief Executive, Cancer Trials Ireland,

Dublin 2.

Rural Ireland deserves better than foxhunting

EDITOR -   Foxhunting is often defended as rural tradition, but its roots are in colonisation, not community. It was brought here as a display of power, never as a source of food or a form of wildlife management. Today it remains what it always was: a cruel blood sport that has no place in a modern, compassionate Ireland.

I have seen the impact first hand. My own garden has been damaged by hunts. I have watched terrified foxes flee through it in desperation. My child, who adores wildlife, has been left distressed by the noise, the chaos and the brutality. This is not culture. This is not heritage. This is harm.

Rural Ireland deserves far better. We need reliable public transport, accessible healthcare and real support for small family farms. These are the issues that matter to rural communities, not defending outdated, violent practices.

A ban on fox hunting is not an attack on rural life. It is a step toward fairness, compassion and a healthier relationship with our wildlife. Some traditions deserve to end. This is one of them.

Evie Nevin,

Knocks.