Sir, - I saw a short shot on RTE of angry fishermen in Porturlin, Co Mayo. It was about the slaughter of fish by the thousands of seals based on Inishkea Island.
As an ex chairman of the North Western Fishery Board I heartily support the call for a massive cull of seals. Years ago, when it was legal to shoot seals, I always shot seals off the Sligo coast but also I led a party to Porturlin. We landed on rocks off the Stags of Broadhaven from O'Donnell curraghs. We killed about 60-70 seals. On another occasion we went to Inishglora Island and got 20-30 seals.
We are fed up with the chair borne conservation people rushing to support the seals. What about rushing to support small fishing communities to exist on the Western sea board. The Norwegian men, attending a seminar on Sherkin Island, spoke of seals crossing from Canada, having wiped out fish there, arriving on the Norwegian coast. It is time for the Minister involved to make a stand for these fishermen.
As regards weapons, I would recommend the Enfield 1914. There are plenty in the UK. My brother had one which now lies rusting in some Irish arsenal. Units of the Army could be utilised instead of firing at stationary targets. They could even use Bren guns. I liked the weapon. I saw it perform efficiently in the second World War in the jungles of Burma. Yours, etc.,
Marine Villa,
Rosbeg,
Westport,
Co Mayo.