Letters to the Editor: Assisted dying can result in a death that is less than peaceful
Bernadette Flood writes: 'The prevalence of reported and suspected complications with assisted suicide and euthanasia worldwide suggest patients may be at risk of a less-than-peaceful death and their loved ones to a traumatic bereavement.' Stock picture; Lynne Cameron/PA
Assisted dying (assisted suicide and euthanasia) is not simple. There is no single pill for assisted suicide. There is no single injection for euthanasia.
There are many complications and failures in the process to intentionally end human life. Evidence suggests people requesting ‘assisted dying’ are at risk of distressing deaths and not a peaceful and pain-free death.
Where assisted suicide is legal/approved, some patients who ingest the prescribed lethal drugs experience distressing complications.
Patients who ingest assisted suicide drugs can experience burning, nausea, vomiting, and regurgitation, especially if the patient is experiencing difficulty swallowing large volumes of liquid. Nausea, oesophagitis, gastritis, severe dehydration, or pathology of the gastrointestinal tract likely interfere with drug absorption.
There is also evidence that the drugs used for assisted suicide do not consistently bring about death quickly.
Complications with the administration of euthanasia medicines can include difficulty in obtaining or maintaining intravenous access, the person dying too slowly or too quickly, difficulty in pushing a large syringe, and pain at the injection site.
The prevalence of reported and suspected complications with assisted suicide and euthanasia worldwide suggest patients may be at risk of a less-than-peaceful death and their loved ones to a traumatic bereavement.
The public and prospective applicants for assisted dying must be properly informed of the realities of intentionally ending life and the risk of distressing complications.
I watched with increasing dismay the Oireachtas committee on justice that took place on November 7. The Garda Commissioner’s and his deputies’ prepared statements sounded, not only well-rehearsed, but a tired, well-worn set of statistical figures and pronouncements that certainly failed to inspire me, whatever about serving members of An Garda Síochána or the public at large.
The same old tired mantra being spouted out, but with some subtle changes to statistical figures. The worrying figures that should concern politicians and the public alike are the numbers I will highlight below.
More than 646 gardaí have been assaulted so far this year, how many of those are out on long-term sick leave is unknown.
Last year, 235,000 days were lost through illness alone. This includes assaults, mental health, stress, etc. Absences because of assault made up 20,800 of those days, approximately.
Some 116 gardaí have resigned so far this year, with a possibility that 410 gardaí may retire at the end of the year.
Then there are the number of gardaí in training in Templemore: According to Garda HQ figures, more than 700 gardaí will pass out or are in training this year, well below the promised 1,000, yet figures show only 243 were attested so far this year.
Then there is the ongoing suspensions, which amount to 108 garda members. The breakdown of suspensions are as follows: six gardaí over four years, 18 gardaí between three and four years; 20 gardaí between two and three years; 37 gardaí between one and two years; and 27 garda members less than a year.
There is also the issue of replacing the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, that no senior fully-fledged garda officer applied for. It is worrying.
While operational gardaí do sterling work in the seizure of cash, guns, drugs, and the arrest and prosecution of criminals and terrorists alike, the reality is that the policing model mooted by the Garda Commissioner and his political allies has failed both the public and frontline gardaí alike.
He and his troupe have lost all moral and legal authority to effectively manage and police the Irish Republic.
No amount of spin or dressing up figures can allay the fears of those of us who see an organisation in crisis mode and where confidence has been eroded and morale is at an all-time low.
While those sitting at that table representing the force try to give a positive image of a modern, well-equipped, well-motivated organisation, the reality on the ground is much, much different.
Regarding Robert Sullivan’s letter about the Michael Collins statue in Cork —‘Big Fellow cut down to size’ (Irish Examiner, Letters, November 7).
The term ‘Big Fellow’ as applied to Michael Collins, does not refer to his physical stature; he was under six feet in height. Traditionally, in the part of West Cork where he was born and grew up, a man who was considered to have a noticeably high opinion of himself might be referred to in his community as ‘the Big Fellow’.
The term may also have been applied — and may be much more relevant here — when a man had distinguished himself from others by his actions, someone who had accomplished some outstanding deed or deeds — and who may also have had a powerful or persuasive personality.
This unique, new life-size sculpture of Michael Collins and his bicycle — unusual for a patriot or statesman anywhere — and placed at ground level in Grand Parade, Cork, appears already to be popular with members of the public, many of whom wish to be photographed beside it.
Some questions on higher level Irish Leaving Cert exam papers are convoluted and awkwardly phrased.
There can be idiomatic phrases, double negatives, and difficult vocabulary. Those who set the questions need to think again. Students need — and deserve — concise, intelligible questions so all students at this level are given a fair chance. If we expect clarity from students, let’s apply the same principles to the questions.
I’m sick of viewer warnings whenever coverage of Gaza’s strike victims appear on TV. There’s a big difference between merely watching suffering and having to endure it.
In concert with all civilised humans, I have to stand by that percentage of my fellow compatriots on this Earth who denounce and are appalled by this horrifying slaughter of innocent men, women, and children — and worse, the celebration (denounced by God’s children) of their slaughter by evil, Godless entities.
One day, these demons will face Almighty God — may they pay a steep price for the taking of lives not given by them. In the meantime, I pray that St Michael the Archangel, revered by all three major faiths (Christian, Judaism, and Moslem) pursue and protect potential victims of this horror — and use his mighty sword to bring their murderers to a swift and just end.
Councillor Mannix Flynn’s recent motion to Dublin City Council suggesting the change of the uniform and name of the (Artane Band) is “long overdue”, and his comments “that it’s absolutely outrageous that the GAA continue to display these symbols”, shows a total disregard for the essential contribution made by the Artane School of Music to the musical education of many young students which includes a member of my family.
Mr Flynn is not the only one who suffered abuse (myself included) at the hands of the Christian Brothers. We survivors of abuse have to live with that experience which includes the inescapable reminders.
The staff and young members of the Artane School of Music deserve to be praised for their musical efforts in supporting our national identity, and I thank them for their contribution.
As the massacre of the innocents continues, the EU states, by and large, stand idly by. As Beethoven was a strong defender of the weak and a powerful advocate for justice, they must now be prohibited at once from using his ‘Ode to Joy’ as their anthem. The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy.
