Letters: We must stand up to the elites who treat horses and greyhounds with cruelty

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, both industries are steeped in animal cruelty.

Secondly, if these industries are the runaway economic success stories they claim to be, why do they need all that hard-earned taxpayer money to keep them going?

After watching last week’s RTÉ Investigates programme on the dark side of our equine industry, I ask how much longer will our politicians pander to the powerful elites?

These people seem to call the shots when it comes to any proposal to clamp down on ill treatment of dogs and horses bred for racing.

The horse and the greyhound are noble, affectionate creatures that give great service to mankind. In a few jurisdictions, including our own, their reward is to be discarded like trash once their running days are over.

I pray that the forthcoming election will yield a new generation of compassionate politicians who will take up the cause of these and other animals.

It may be a forlorn hope, but a sea change in political attitudes to animal cruelty in sport is essential if horrors like the ones exposed by the RTÉ programme are to be stamped out.

We need a government with guts that will tell these cruel and lavishly funded industries their race is run.

John Fitzgerald, Co Kilkenny

Exclusion of some schools from free-meals scheme widens gap of inequality

It is praiseworthy that the School Meals Scheme, that currently provides hot lunches to many Deis secondary schools, has been expanded to provide a free hot lunch to all primary schools.

However, it is incomprehensible that the post-primary schools designated Deis in 2022 are still not funded to provide a free hot lunch to their pupils. These schools serve communities with the highest concentrations of deprivation.

How can it be that the most advantaged primary-school pupils serving the most affluent families in the country are more entitled to a hot lunch than some of the most disadvantaged post-primary school pupils?

Before the new school year begins, the Departments of Education and Social Protection should rectify this situation and provide a free hot lunch to all Deis post-primary pupils.

Niall Moynihan, Co Wexford

Let’s ensure EU continues to be a standard bearer for peace and reconciliation

In the lead-up to the European elections, six bishops from across Europe wrote a fascinating document called “A new lease of life for Europe”.

I recommend that all our newly elected MEPs read and digest it. The bishops praise what has been achieved across Europe since the Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957. The blessings of those 67 years are countless.

The European Union was established to cement peace and respect diversity. This was based on sharing for the greater good of all and followed firm democratic principles.

European integration has led to lasting peace in the bloc. In particular, Franco-German reconciliation has been a standout success.

The document urges all newly elected MEPs to develop a dream for everyone in Europe by meeting the current commitments. Also, to seek inspiration for the new challenges facing everyone in the next five years.

New challenges and new inspirations are urgently needed within Europe, but also in the wider world. The EU has a duty to share its achievements in unity with the wider world, especially in Ukraine and Gaza.

The EU has the ability and the historical experience to provide mutual security for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. A future can be achieved whereby they live together, not against each other.

Europe has shown that creativity and inventive genius make everything possible, especially peace. Engagement and understanding, rather than rivalry and war, are a sure technique for peace in Europe and the whole world.

Fr Tom Grufferty, Knock, Co Mayo

McDonagh Cup counties should be treated better than mere cannon fodder

Offaly and Laois campaigned magnificently in this season’s Joe McDonagh Cup, ultimately playing out a high-quality final that was closely fought.

However, consistent with most Joe McDonagh Cup finalists, their seasons came to an abrupt conclusion against teams from the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

The McDonagh Cup is being run off too quickly and earlier than necessary. This is done so the finalists can be pitted against third-placed counties in both the Munster and Leinster championships.

Given due respect, the closing games of the McDonagh Cup should not have been played yet.

They should be played alongside the All-Ireland quarter-finals or semi-finals.

The teams could then reflect on reaching their pinnacle without having to prepare for probable demolition within days.

Michael Gannon, Co Kilkenny

Emphatic election results show that the people have woken up to Sinn Féin

The chastening of the Shinners means that, with all the speculative hype of great days ahead for them, the electorate have woken up and reverted to being afraid of them.

Sinn Féin politicians are beginning to realise the Irish people cannot be fooled all of the time.

Time is a great healer for the astute thinkers who saw too many extra problems down the road. Thank goodness. Keep it up, democrats.

Robert Sullivan, Bantry, Co Cork

Slim pickings in cinemas, but here’s a gem of a movie for your consideration

Sir, I share in some of the frustration of Brian McDevitt finding nothing of interest at his local cinema (‘A rainy-day trip to my local cinema was thwarted by the dismal options on offer’, Letters, June 15).

While there isn’t much on offer, it’s maybe not quite as bad as Mr McDevitt thinks.

Hard Miles is currently in cinemas. This is a real gem based on the true story of Greg Townsend, a strong-willed social worker who takes a group of young offenders on a 1,000-mile cycling trip.

It has a 95pc audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and I think your letter writer might enjoy it.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry