Sir, - All of us were greatly disturbed to read of the tragic deaths of Chris Crowley and his daughter Deirdre.
It was also shocking to read the headlines from Father O'Riordan's funeral sermon stating that this was an act of love, albeit excessive, as if this was some kind of pardon or excuse for Chris Crowley or some kind of cold comfort for his wife and family.
Chris Crowley's act was one of desperation, despair, anger and revenge. This was an act which arose from fear and certainly not from a place of love.
And what of the events leading up to it? Was it an act of love to separate this helpless little girl from her family and friends? Was it an act of love to flee like a hunted animal for almost two years with a powerless young child, to deny this girl her family, her freedom, her childhood - and then, in a fit of desperation, to deny her her life? Show me the love in these actions.
This was not a man who was denied access to his child; he had equal responsibility and was in a position of trust. He had no reasons that we know of to feel cornered, except perhaps the reasons he had fabricated in his own mind to justify his actions. But the question still remains on everyone's lips: Why?
Perhaps we will never know, but isn't it about time we started to address some of the issues this man faced, and some of the reasons why he felt such fear and hopelessness? Isn't it time we looked at the problems facing men today, such as depression, isolation, anger, addiction and lack of communication.
Isn't it about time men started to talk and to express their concerns as fathers and as men? And maybe now is the time when we should all stand back and listen.
I refer again to Father O'Riordan's sermon and challenge him and the people of this country to analyse these deaths and to place these issues, not in the hands of God, but in our own hands and the hands of our parents, our teachers, our neighbours, our communities, in the hope that this kind of tragedy will be prevented in the future. - Yours, etc.,
Carol O' Connor, Navan, Co Meath.