I see that the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) has inevitably welcomed the statement by the Department of Infrastructure which approves planning permission for the North South Interconnector. I wonder did the permanent secretary for the department consult with the political parties before making the decision?
I believe now a judicial review should decide if the power lines are to be underground.
To the people in the threatened zone from The Moy, through Tullysarron, Tynan, Madden, Middletown, Drumhillery and Derrynoose and the other rural areas in the ancient chiefdom of Tiranny, this is the greatest human and environmental challenge in living memory.
The intrusion of these toxic pylons, the biggest in the British Isles, I’m told, through this rural landscape must never be tolerated.
From the viewpoint on Mullyard hill the ghastly sight of this corridor of steel will punctuate 50 per cent of the horizon. Ancient raths and the ecclesiastical site of St Mochua’s monastery will be desecrated. Roods and perches of land will be rendered useless for each of these monstrous pylons, not to mention the health risks for the inhabitants of the area. The case against the pylons has been articulated clearly again and again over the last 10 years. More than 6,000 people have sent in letters of objection, these cannot be dismissed.
Like our counterparts across the border it is incumbent on us to be vigilant and to continue to steadfastly have the collective courage to resist these power lines through our area.
So SONI, please go away, and leave us alone. We don’t want your pylons anywhere near our homes. Dig a track in the ground nd bury the cable about five furlongs down.
JOHN MAKEM
Derrynoose, Co Armagh
Truth of the evil of abortion remains unalterable
A referendum we are told will take place on May 25 on whether to repeal the constitutional amendment that effectively bans pregnancy terminations – that amendment which safeguards the right to life of our most vulnerable and defenceless little beings.
Whatever the outcome of the referendum, the truth of the evil of abortion remains unalterable, because abortion is a nice euphemism for a termination and can never be justified.
Abortion is the denial of the most fundamental right to life, yet we have political representatives and Amnesty International all crying out for abortion to be legalised and vilifying the Catholic Church for its stance
against abortion.
The taoiseach pointed out how outdated the current legislation on abortion is. Does that imply that the commandments given to us by God are outdated? The fifth commandment says Thou shalt not kill.
So, when does human life begin? It is at fertilisation that a new, unique and genetically complete human being comes into existence. The child in the womb is not a ‘potential’ life, but a life with potential.
Many pregnant women considering abortion are misled into thinking that nothing but ‘tissue’ is being removed and relate that they would not have had an abortion if they were told the truth. Many of these women were angered by grief at the loss of a child they were told never existed.
Dr Bernard Nathanson, an American obstetrician, publicly admits in Confession of an Ex-abortionist, ‘I am personally responsible for 75,000 abortions, before doubting the morality of the procedure and becoming one of the most effective campaigners for the anti-abortion movement’.
Having long described himself as a Jewish atheist he converted to Catholicism in 1996. When asked why he converted he simply said: “No religion matches the special role for forgiveness that is afforded by the Catholic Church.
M HAYES
Belfast BT7
America is slow learner
It is wonderful to see the youth of the world arriving in the southern part of Korea for the Winter Olympics.
It is especially significant to have both sides of the nation reunited from north and south which, despite the constant policies of the US, through its policy of divide and rule for the single nation which is Korea.
American governments are slow learners. What is tried and failed by Washington for more than 60 years will fade away in time as this same approach was proven false in another proud country, that of nearby Vietnam. The people of Korea are sovereign and the will of its citizens is not in the gift of the self-serving American military power, which merely sees the whole peninsula as a strategic base with the north chosen as a convenient enemy.
ROBERT SULLIVAN
Bantry, Co Cork
No wheels on my wagon
Ian Paisley claimed that Leo Varadkar’s presence in Belfast last week was unnecessary and accused the taoiseach of jumping on a bandwagon. I’m reminded of an old American folk song in which the Cherokees are in hot pursuit of an intrepid cowboy. Fearlessly, and with only three wheels on his wagon, the cowboy keeps rollin’ along, singin’ a happy song. However, as each verse progresses, another wheel falls off until finally there are no wheels on the vehicle and inevitably it stops rollin’.
If that is the wagon to which Ian refers, he is indeed accurate in his analogy. It’s now 13 months since he and his colleagues rolled in to work. You could write a song about it.
RAYMOND MURRAY
Lurgan, Co Armagh
Trump interview not Piers Morgan’s finest hour
I thought that the Piers Morgan interview with President Trump would be riveting viewing but I was badly mistaken.
From the start it looked like Morgan was bending over backwards to be nice but then it dawned on me that this was elaborate managing. Morgan was the winner some time ago at Trump’s American Apprentice show. It was clear that the boat was never going to be rocked.
Not a word about the Russian dealings on devious tactics during the 2016 election.
On why the Klu Klux Klan likes him so much.
Someone like Jeremy Paxman, or our own Mark Carruthers, would have been the men for the job. To end the debacle with the Arsenal jersey was pathetic. It was not Morgan’s finest hour.
TJ CARRAGHER
Cullyhanna, Co Armagh
Expression of thanks
Macmillan Cancer Support volunteers took over Belfast on Friday November 24 2017 raising a phenomenal £3,028.33. We would like to thank everyone who donated generously.
JOANNE YOUNG
Fundraising Manager Belfast BT5
