Time for complacency is over

Our big patriotic hearts are broken this morning. Tragedy in Dublin was taken advantage of by a simmering pot. This has been brewing..... in plain sight on social media channels and in some political discourse.

We've seen it happening across the world, live on TV as parliaments are stormed and places of worship are burned. We thought it wouldn't happen here. We somehow thought that we would be immune . We are not.

The minority rioted last night, stole expensive trainers and let themselves and their families down. They burned buses and trams that we need to get to work this morning. They attacked Gardai, Fire Officers and Ambulance drivers that we need to rescue us from burglaries, fires and car accidents.

They were stoked, in their stupidity, by nefarious forces that are purposely stirring this up. To set one group against an 'other'. This is a concerted effort to knock us off course, to allow darkness eclipse democracy and our sense of security. Our sense of ourselves and all that makes Ireland a fantastic country.

This is all done in pursuit of power. Power that we don't elect. Control that we have no visibility or influence over.

So we could wail and despair that this is happening.... or we can do something about it. This is within OUR control.

Social media trolls only get oxygen if we share or 'like' something they post.

Resist those who pose 'Simple' answers to complex issues at election time.

Say thank you to the bus driver, doctor or nurse who has travelled from across the world to take care of you and your most dear.

Smile at your neighbour.

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi