Sir, – Des Cryan (Opinion, December 27th), while addressing the portrayal of the Christmas story, raises questions that are relevant in today’s world.
The story of the stable has helped us in Trust at times to point out that people in our capital city today sleep in sheds, tents, containers and under bushes – none with the warmth even of a stable or the breath of animals.
While this is happening, experts and bureaucrats struggle to find an appropriate definition to facilitate debate and more importantly distribution of grant aid – eg what constitutes a home or even shelter.
A detailed analysis like that presented by Des Cryan is unlikely to take place in the corridors of power at local or national level, these corridors likely now to be in Berlin and presided over by the Troika. Bob Dylan was so right when he said “I can’t understand the values of definition and confinement – definitions destroy.” – Yours, etc,
ALICE LEAHY,
Director Co-Founder,
Trust,
Bride Road, Dublin 8.
