Madam, – I am writing in response to your article (“School board members resign over letters”, Breaking News, March 23rd) about the resignation of board of management members in Borrisokane Community College due to controversy surrounding a letter distributed to pupils by Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry.
I sat my Leaving Certificate in Borrisokane Community College last year. I am now studying medicine in a university in Dublin, and I owe a great deal to the teachers in Borrisokane. The teachers in that school are outstanding. They are experienced, helpful, extremely intelligent, and know how to communicate their knowledge to students in a way that is accessible to all ranges of students. The only thing wrong with that school is the school building itself. It’s outdated, it’s cold in winter, it’s damp, the roof leaks, and it lacks the facilities (ie labs, PE equipment) that other schools have.
So if our local TD Michael Lowry comes along and does something about this dilapidated school, then why shouldn’t he let the people know he did it? My former principal Matthew Carr is a fantastic man, and I have the utmost respect for him. Mr Carr did, of course, push for this new school and, despite the rejections, he never ever gave up. But Mr Carr’s determination could only get him so far; he needed an equally determined politician to help him get the funds set aside, and get final confirmation from the government that the new school would be built.
So in my opinion – and I couldn’t care less who’s in government – Mr Lowry had every right to ask for our support, and don’t forget, we still make the final decision who we vote for, his letter was in no way forcing us to vote for anyone.
This is why I am displeased with the content of your news report which seemed to distort the good thing Mr Lowry did, and portray him in a negative light in order to fuel the controversy currently surrounding him.
Yes, if Mr Lowry did a bad thing, he should be judged on the basis of it. However, I feel he should also be judged on what he has done for those in his constituency. The North Tipperary electorate has shown continuous faith in him, and I am outraged that the good deeds he has done for the staff, pupils and future pupils of that school should be turned against him. Everyone deserves a fair trial, and Mr Lowry is no different.