From Hope to Hopelessness
SOMEONE recently asked what aspects of life have become normalised in Ireland or Drogheda that could never have been even imagined ten or fifteen years ago.
The answer to that is “where would you start” as the country in general and Drogheda in particular has in many ways changed beyond recognition, and sadly, most of it has not been for the better.
For me the main change is in the political and social atmosphere with hope and optimism giving way to a form of despondency, compounded by a belief that the future is anything but bright.
Back in my day in the 1970s you actually had workers opting to retire at 55, now they have to work an extra 11 years to collect their state pension at 66.
But let’s face it, who could have envisaged that in the 2020’s adults would be living in their childhood home into their 30s and beyond.
Indeed many young people, and I know some personally, who have given up hope of ever owning a home of their own even though they have steady and reasonably well-paid jobs.
Then again, did we ever think we’d see the day when paying up to two grand for a month’s rent would become the norm?
And while there may be plenty of jobs in what is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, very few people feel well off with many workers struggling to pay bills in what is now the second most expensive country in the EU.
What makes the situation worse is the perception that the Government is incapable of dealing with these major issues and, going on past records, that is more than likely the case.
To compound this is the widespread belief that what passes for the opposition would probably do little better as such is the state of politics at present there is, with a few notable exceptions, little difference between the parties.
The abject failure to even begin to deal with the housing crisis while not just allowing, but enabling a population explosion, is a damning indictment of this government.
Some of their proposed fixes would be funny if not for their long term social consequences for those condemned to live their lives in glorified sheds.
At one time the local authority would be on your back threatening to pull it down if you built a pigeon shed without permission now the Government want modular homes in back gardens that are exempt from planning rules.
The fact is that Ireland with a population approaching 5.5 million has the infrastructure for little more than 3.5 million people and can be witnessed every day on the roads, the hospitals and schools.
As for housing, it may be decades rather than years before there are enough homes to meet the ever expanding growth – which is now running at six times the EU average – and the public know the supply can’t meet demand if the rate continues.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan recently raised concerns that Ireland’s annual population growth rate of around 1.6% is occurring too quickly, putting severe pressure on housing, public services, and overall social cohesion.
A bit late Minister, the public could see that years ago from the rapid demographic changes taking place in their towns and villages but were branded bigots and racists for pointing it out.
From Abandoned Kittens to Animal Heroes
LIFE is cheap generally, but especially so when it comes to cats and kittens and it is not unusual for them to be abandoned.
Drogheda Animal Rescue (DAR) revealed this week that ten kittens had been found abandoned in a Dunnes Stores bag in a yard on the Marsh Road.
Luckily the kittens, which are thought to be around ten days old, were found when a group of alert teenagers heard them mewing and went to investigate.
DAR is appealing for whoever abandoned the kittens to get in touch so the mother can be spayed to ensure she does not produce another litter.
I recently had some dealings with Drogheda Animal Rescue helping to trap a group of semi-feral cats and take them to Westgate Veterinary Clinic where they were spayed and neutered before being released.
DAR is a great organisation which does great work for the welfare of animals and deserves more recognition for what they do.
End of the Road for a Much-Loved Collon Restaurant
I WAS sorry to hear that the No.3 Wine Bar & Restaurant in Collon, run by mother and son team Martina (Tina) and Wayne Fitzpatrick, is to close after ten successful years in business.
I know Tina and her husband Brian and I’m aware of the massive amount of work the family has put into making the restaurant on Church Street in the village such a success.
It has been a great asset to the local community and will be sadly missed but apparently Tina had no alternative and rightly put her health first and decided it was too risky to continue to work in such an environment after a successful spinal operation last year.
I wish them all the best, and who knows, Tina and Co might be back with some new enterprise in the future.
