Sir, - Dr Paddy Leahy announced (The Irish Times, December 17th) that he has gone to Thailand, where he plans to take his own life next month, as his cancer has recurred. His intention suggests a profoundly saddening and undeserved lack of confidence in the integrity and competence of his colleagues in Ireland to care for the terminally ill. - Yours, Brendan Wheeler,Crannagh Road,Dublin 14.