Is a night at the dogs in the spirit of Xmas?

Editor –  - At this time of year, an email circulates in Irish offices and workplaces with the subject line: ‘Christmas Party. Where shall we go?’

In response, workers offer suggestions of local taverns and restaurants that they would like to go to for the staff annual festive night out. All of these suggested venues are excellent choices to give vent to Fairytale of New York.

But there is one venue that has an entry on the Christmas naughty list. The local greyhound racing stadium.

Christmas party nights at the dogs are marketed at businesses as a fun-filled staff night out. Creating a narrative of good food, free flowing drink and a chance to have a flutter on greyhounds racing in their striped jackets. All harmless fun that would not upset the local Grinch.

However, businesses availing of these doggie party nights help to continue the abuse of greyhounds while aiding the public relations efforts of the Irish greyhound industry.

It is in the realm of public knowledge that this  ‘industry’ is based on the exploitation of greyhounds, the application of drugs to aid or hinder performance, and on-track gambling activity that fails an initial sniff test.

Based on this evidence, a company or business that believes that a Christmas party involving a night at the dogs is party central is avoiding inhumane reality or else not donning the ‘clearthinking goggles’.

Refusing to be part of the greyhound industry’s marketing machine means businesses can avoid gifting financial support for an industry that is in terminal decline. Until the cruelty ends, celebrating Christmas at greyhound tracks is like toasting joy in a house of suffering. There is nothing festive about greyhound exploitation.

John Tierney

Association of Hunt Saboteurs

Dublin

I know who I’m voting for in this election

EDITOR –   As we approach the presidential election, we have a real opportunity to choose someone who will continue the compassionate, principled leadership we’ve seen from Michael D Higgins. For me, that person is Catherine Connolly.

Catherine has built her career on integrity, fairness, and independence. She has stood up for housing, healthcare, disability rights, and the environment, always putting people before politics. Like Michael D, she represents the best of public service.

She is thoughtful, courageous, and deeply connected to the people she serves.

What’s most remarkable about Catherine’s campaign is how she has brought together people from across the left, from Labour to the Social Democrats, from Independents to community activists. We are united behind a shared vision of justice, equality, and dignity. In a time when politics can feel divided and cynical, Catherine’s ability to unite progressive voices is a powerful sign of hope.

She understands that the presidency is about more than ceremony. It’s about setting a moral tone for the nation, listening to the people, and standing up for what’s right. Catherine Connolly will carry forward Michael D’s legacy while bringing her own warmth, independence, and courage to the role.

For a presidency rooted in compassion and integrity, I’ll be proudly voting Catherine Connolly.

Evie Nevin

Labour Local Area Rep-Cork South West

Knocks

We cannot let scenes in Dublin be repeated

EDITOR -  The scenes which played out near Dublin Docks last week cannot be repeated. For two years, the Irish people have made clear their disgust at the ongoing genocide by the Israeli State on the Palestinian people.

Through weekly demonstrations in towns and cities across the country, the people have pushed against government rhetoric, if not action. The kidnapping of peaceful Irish protestors last week in international waters by the Israeli state led some to take more direct action.

We have a long and proud history of community policing, by consent, in this country. When government policy diverges from public sentiment, this will be put to the test. An Garda Síochána must remember that they are not mere tools of government, but are themselves ‘uninformed citizens’, protecting the peace, and not enforcing the movement of capital.

Chris Heinhold, Slip, Bantry.

The whole world is watching the flotilla

EDITOR -   The brave Irish volunteers pulled together, and tried to sail to Palestine and break Israel’s blockade of the country’s man-made famine, where men, women and children are starving to death.  Israel’s military took control of the lifesaving flotilla in international waters.

Among those who were captured by Israel was my good friend, Senator Chris Andrews.

The whole world now is treating Israel with contempt  and say they should be disarmed, and its government should be handed over to an independent one.

Noel Harrington,

Kinsale.