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SELDOM in my life have I have ever been as upset at seeing a photo of the beautiful boy lying lifeless on the beach in Bodrum.
This precious little boy was called Aylan and he perished along with his mother and brother on the way to what was perceived to be a better life.
It took this heartbreaking image for the world to stand up and take notice.
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What I cannot get over is the idiots posting racial comments about these people. Have we forgotten the history of our own?
Thousands of Irish have left this Emerald Isle in the hope of improving their lives and in search of work. These people did not leave for fear of their lives; they left because we have had a major recession, just like in the eighties.
Of course we can point the finger of blame at our government, at our debacle of a bailout or indeed of the greed of developers.
At the end of the day it is very sad that almost every family have experienced that gut- wrenching goodbye at the airport.
Now imagine saying goodbye to your loved ones, not knowing if you will ever see them again or indeed that they will survive the journey to their promised land?
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Before anyone starts the argument about our own homeless, and charity begins at home, please think!
Think of that beautiful boy washed up on a beach where some of you may have taken a holiday over the years. Think of the families that are torn apart by a war that is not their fault.
In the eighties, we all stood up and listened to Bob Geldof when he dared to use profanities to world leaders about the starving in Ethiopia. We raised millions and were proud to help in some small way.
So let us now help in some small way. Sign the petitions; donate clothes and toys at the drop off points. Donate the price of one pint this week.
We cannot ignore this and we certainly cannot believe the propaganda that is creeping on to social media that all of the refugees are members of ISIS.
These unfortunate humans left their country with the clothes on their backs and paid every last penny they had to traffickers.
I don’t claim to have all the answers but what I do have is a heart and I can never unsee the images that I have seen.
We have always been known as a country that gives a “Céad míle fáilte” so let’s do it.
Until next week,
Be kind and generous!
Orlagh x
