Sir, – Margaret Thatcher was a wonderful woman. She defeated socialism in her own country and saved Britain from the tyranny of the trade unions. The economic results, during the 1980s and 1990s, of her transformative leadership are a testament to her triumph.
She was also an example of a real leader. One who followed their principles, instead of merely bowing to fashionable and fleeting opinion. May she rest in peace. – Yours, etc,
JOHN B REID,
Knapton Road,
Monkstown, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Those celebrating Margaret Thatcher’s death are showing a graceless, heartless lack of humanity. Which, ironically, is like a Margaret Thatcher tribute act. – Yours, etc,
DONAL O’KEEFFE,
Fermoy Co Cork.
Sir, – In the case of the death of former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, that well-worn cliché that says “we’ll never see his/her like again” scarcely applies, given that we have had almost 35 years of clones slavishly following her disreputable creed – including our own, home-grown, gone-but-not-forgotten Progressive Democrats party! – Yours, etc,
JD MANGAN,
Stillorgan Road,
Stillorgan, Co Dublin.
Sir, – While we must always remember the devastation caused to thousands of lives by Margaret Thatcher, we should never forget that she did not succeed in permanently crushing the spirit of our people. Families and communities from Derry to Durham helped each other to rebuild their lives.
I will not be dancing on the grave of Baroness Thatcher because, as Bobby Sands said, our revenge will be the laughter of our children. – Yours, etc,
SEÁN O’DONOVAN,
Fore Street, Edmonton,
London, England.
Sir, – The death of former British prime minister Mrs Thatcher (Breaking News, April 8th) was a reminder of how I first became politicised at the tender age of seven years, back in 1970. My job in my local primary school in Newcastle, Co Down, was handing out the free milk and orange bottles to my fellow classmates – a job that my older brothers had done for years before. Then I was told by my headmaster that I no longer had this prestigious position because of the new education minister, Mrs Thatcher.
From that day, a small seed was planted in my brain of the power of a politician can have on our lives. Unfortunately, this lady had no social conscience regarding the working person or non-working person. She will not be missed. – Yourss, etc,
PAUL DORAN,
Monastery Walk,
Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Sir, – The passing of the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is met with great sadness. Although many will disagree with her actions and views, there is no doubt that she had an incredible influence on the latter half of the 20th century.
Despite the many negative views people will have of her, particularly in relation to her debilitating approach to Northern Ireland policy, there are a number of positives, including breaking the glass ceiling when she became the first female British prime minister; and, with US president Ronald Reagan, overseeing the downfall of the USSR and the end of the Cold War. It’s time, in light of her passing, that we do not iron out such incredible achievements that should positively attributed to her! – Yours, etc,
SEAN CASSIDY,
St Laurence’s Road,
Dublin 20.
Sir, – The legacy of Margaret Thatcher will be hotly contested; and I was never a fan of hers. But I have always admired her courage and human decency in crossing the floor of the House of Commons to vote, on two occasions (in 1969 and 1975) for Labour Bills proposing a ban on live hare coursing.
For all her ferocious reputation, the Iron Lady, like the majority of people in Britain and Ireland, couldn’t stomach the spectacle of two hyped-up dogs being set on a defenceless, terrified hare for “sport”. I am delighted she lived to see that abomination outlawed in Britain. Interestingly, three Labour TDs who had lost their party whip took a similarly brave stance in the Dáil a fortnight ago during the debate on the Animal Health and Welfare Bill. Deputies Patrick Nulty, Roisin Shortall, and Tommy Broughan voted against the government and in favour of an anti-hare-coursing amendment.
While I wouldn’t endorse Mrs Thatcher’s right wing policies or handling of the Northern Troubles, I honour her commitment to protecting the gentlest creature in the countryside. I hope that more Irish politicians will follow her example, and that of the above named Labour rebels, in seeking an end to hare coursing. – Yours, etc,
JOHN FITZGERALD,
(Campaign for the Abolition
of Cruel Sports),
Lower Coyne Street,
Callan, Co Kilkenny.