A chara, - I am writing to express surprise and annoyance that space has been taken up in this newspaper disputing the status of the people who died en route to Ireland. C. Dowling (December 14th) wishes not to trivialise the issue, but has succeeded in doing just that. I know that Irish Times readers are pedantic, but this is ridiculous (God forbid we should bestow the exalted term "refugee" inappropriately).
These unfortunates have died and their individual claims will never be heard. Could people please refrain from speculating on the "legality" of their status? It is pointless and disrespectful, especially when the incident raises much more important issues worthy of discussion.
The more I hear about Irish people's parsimonious and begrudging attitude to the issue of immigration the more disheartened I become. You don't risk your life and those of your children to live in a hostel on £15 a week. You do it because you feel you have to - and you certainly don't do it for the "honour" of being called a refugee. - Is mise,
Eil∅s N∅ Leathlobhair, Clonsast, Co Offaly.