Letter to the Editor: Unease if not resentment building in Ballaghaderreen
The peaceful protest which recently gathered outside Ballaghaderreen Garda Station. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Dear Editor,
In 2017, I attended a meeting in Ballaghaderreen where there was enormous sympathy in evidence for Syrian refugees looking for refuge from the absolute horror that was brought upon the people of Syria.
Those assembled were hugely eager to help the soon to arrive refugees, and promises of support were made from voluntary organisations and state agencies.
The very nature of war, torture, fear, anxiety, bereavement and persecution leaves a mark on those surviving over and above basic needs like food and shelter as we here in Ireland know from historical warfare and troubles in the not-too-distant past.
The essence of the asylum seeker and refugee demands much more support in health care, housing and education. Our Oireachtas members would appear to have let us down.
The heartfelt generosity of the local community has been abused. Many now feel that there is increased competition for access to a doctor, for access to housing, and indeed to education in our schools where teachers must cope with a language learning difficulty that has now increased.
The local population size has increased, resulting in increased competition for less resources and this is causing unease if not resentment.
Recently there was a well-behaved protest march in the town to the local Garda Station over the lack of Garda numbers in the town and surrounding countryside. There was a time when a burglar break into the barracks would have the ring of an April fool joke about it, or perhaps, would have happened over a hundred years ago during the War of Independence.
An “alleged break in” had occurred about a week previously to the “unoccupied station” where the peaceful crowd had assembled. We have more people now and less Gardai. How did it come to this?
The anger was palpable and had the edgy feel of the powder keg about it. There are elements trying to ignite and incite the situation, sensing the let down in the area. The “Cead Mile Failte” feel of 2017 seems to have dialled down considerably.
Yours sincerely
Brendan Greene
Lisadaly,
Lisacul,
Ballaghaderreen
