The year in (short) Letters to the Editor

Éamon Ó Cuív and Fianna Fáil

Sir, – For a short while, Éamon Ó Cuív was the political equivalent of Schrödinger’s Cat – simultaneously in and out of Fianna Fáil. Well, the cat has been well and truly belled. – Yours, etc, PAUL DELANEY, Beacon Hill, Dalkey, Co Dublin. (May 10)

June

Mick Wallace and the VAT bill

Sir, – Which is the greater offence: to return false figures in your VAT returns to the Revenue Commissioners, which is illegal, or to destroy the economy of the State, which is not? – Yours, etc, HARRY KELLY, Westbourne Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W. (June 12)

Lows and highs of Euro 2012

Sir, – Regarding Niall Ginty’s request for a health warning to accompany the slogan “You’ll never beat the Irish” (June 12th): he can rest assured – terms and conditions apply. – Yours, etc, RONAN CAHILL, Moyne Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. (June 18)

July

Higgs boson captured

Sir, – With the discovery of the “God particle”, does this mean we have finally discovered the ecumenical matter? – Yours, etc, LIAM SCALLY, Tonlegee Road, Dublin 5. (July 6)

Sir, – Is mise le mass, HUGH DOYLE, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. (July 13)

Worst of the Irish summer

Sir, – In the present circumstances, why do our weather forecasters feel the need to talk so much? Surely it can all be summarised with a variation on Samuel Beckett? Rain. Rain again. Rain wetter. – Yours, etc, WILLIE DILLON, Coast Road, Bettystown, Co Meath. (July 19)

Getting rid of waste at ‘Anglo’

Sir, – Anglo Irish “bank” has announced details of a tender for “the supply of confidential waste destruction services” (Business, July 7th). Despite this, a few days later, the gardaí­ said they were confident of securing a conviction in relation to the Anglo Irish matter. Life has started to imitate Ross. “Shred Focking Everything” (and the taxpayers pay for it). – Yours, etc, SEÁN MAC CANN, Trillick, Co Tyrone. (July 21)

August

Waste competition

Sir, – In the interest of competition in waste collection, the cul-de-sac (of 24 houses) where I live now has five refuse collection lorries visiting every week. Is this a record? – Yours, etc, CLARE WALSH, Elton Court, Leixlip, Co Kildare. (August 7)

A name for new Liffey bridge

Sir, – Surely there can now be only one name for the new Liffey bridge. The “Golden Kate Bridge”. – Yours, etc, BRENDAN KENNEDY, St Johns Wood, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. (August 11)

Fifty names for Irish rain

Sir, – 70. My great grandfather from Co Cavan spoke of it “raining shoemakers’ knives”, an apt description for this Irish summer. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL WILSON, Ravenhill Park, Belfast. (August 22)

Sir, – 95. On September 9th at 3.30pm, it will be raining Kilkenny’s Top-Cats and Galway’s Under-Dogs at Croke Park. – Yours, etc, KEVIN DEVITTE, Mill Street, Westport, Co Mayo. (August 25)