End of Days… and Remembering the Poor at Christmas, it just might be You !

Homeless (Photo credit: fotografar)

According to the Mayan Calendar, tomorrow marks the end of the world. Living in Ireland today we might think that the end of the world, as we know it, is indeed nigh. So, if you are reading this next Saturday, the prophesy is obviously wrong but you never know. Stranger things have happened as my Uncle Bernie used to say.

For many years now I have had the privilege, as a solicitor, to act for some of those we refer to as the poor. I do not make such a reference in any disparaging way but mention it now as it appears to be more meaningful at this time of year and in the Ireland of Christmas 2012.  Scripture mentions that the poor will always be with us, but today, more than anytime I can remember, the poor are very close to us. Yes, those living in this depressing country called Ireland. It was not always so. I love my country and condemn those that have abused it for their own selfish needs.

Poverty can be of many varieties. The obvious being those on low and middle incomes who have found it desperately hard to pay their household bills; to feed their children and indeed put clothes on their backs. If it wasn’t for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Simon Community and other such charities, many would have lost their homes and literally be on the side of the road. Those that have, will and should dig deep into their pockets in order to help their fellow-man survive this tough winter. We live in unprecedented times when our Government has literally turned their backs on the Irish Citizens in pursuit of a greater European vision of a New Beginning. Unfortunately that vision does not cater for, nor improve the lot of the working man. It is a Europe where Big Business will thrive at the expense of the ordinary citizen.

There is another type of poverty rampant in Ireland today that crosses all class barriers, if indeed you do believe in the class system, which I do not. This is the issue of the mental health of the nation. While you may be lucky enough to be able to pay your bills this winter, you may well be suffering mental illness brought on, in many cases by the disastrous state of the country. Those that brought about this economic decline and indeed those that continue the austerity policies which are drowning the citizens in debt, have a lot to answer for. The number of suicides is unacceptable but seem to be the inevitable consequences of austerity and the policies being imposed by those Elites who continue to pursue their own selfish agenda to the detriment of the citizen. Shame on them and their fellow travellers.

May I wish everyone a Happy and Holy Christmas but ask that you remember those less well off than yourself especially at this time of year. Be as generous as you can and remember to spend time with people. Many times it is the time spent with our fellow-man that brings about the most benefits. If the Mayans have got it right, then maybe our suffering poor can be spared the indignity of yet another harsh winter of discontent.

LegalEagleStar , Thursday 20th. December , 2012.

Bath foam problems

Q   I  RECEIVED a Christmas gift of a bottle of bath foam and on St Stephen’s Day I decided to pamper myself and have a good soak in my nicely scented bath.

When I got out I was like a lobster and itchy all over.

I couldn’t go out and had to go to the Chemist to get something to relieve the discomfort.

Do I have a case against the manufacturers of this bath foam for ruining my Christmas?

A   WHILE  I sympathise with your dilemma I don’t feel that you can have legal redress against the manufacturer of the bath foam for your discomfort.

You appear to be a person with sensitive skin and as a result must be very careful while soaking in your bath, washing etc. It might well be advisable to attend a skin specialist to determine what allergies you may have. I am aware of people developing skin allergies from bath salts etc. so I think that although you have suffered, the majority of people would have had a luxurious soak. Of course if you feel strongly enough you can always have the bottle of bath foam analysed. I would think it unlikely that any reputable manufacturer would have any harmful substances present in their preparations although if they had you certainly would succeed in an action for damages.

THE STAR, Friday January 12, 1990