The right to die with dignity

Madam, - Like other recent correspondents, I agree with the views of Angela Macnamara (June 20th) on the right of elderly people…

Madam, - Like other recent correspondents, I agree with the views of Angela Macnamara (June 20th) on the right of elderly people to die with dignity. It seems positively inhumane to prolong unnecessarily the life of some patients through invasive interventions which they do not want.

In some countries the elderly are cherished and life is made as comfortable as possible for them after they have worked for a lifetime, but alas that is not the case in Ireland. Here, old, sick people are grudgingly cared for by the State, often in sub-standard conditions. They are described by the Minister for Health as "bedblockers. Their pensions are appropriated to pay for their care. And when they finally pass away plans are afoot to sell their houses to pay any excess costs.

In these circumstances it is not surprising that many see death as a welcome release. - Yours, etc,

CARMEL COURTNEY,
Sandyford Road,
Dublin 16.