Sir, - On reading Padraigh O Morain's report of his interview with Dr Paddy Leahy I was filled with admiration for Dr Leahy's humanity, christianity and courage.
For a vast number of elderly people life is a struggle and holds no purpose. Many people, young and old, endure horrendous deaths. Often attempts to soothe pain is in vain. Big, strong, healthy individuals in a matter of months can end up with emaciated bodies. If life gets so unbearable and so meaningless that death is to be preferred, shouldn't euthanasia be allowed if the patient so wishes? After all we have compassion for sick animals and take them out of their misery - why not humans? The real enemy in this case is not death but inhumanity.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote: "It is not so much that death approaches as life withdraws and withers up from round about him. He has outlived his own usefulness and almost his own enjoyment; and if there is to be no recovery, if never again will he be young and strong and passionate - if in fact this be veritably nightfall, he will not wish for the continence of a twilight that only stains and disappoints the eyes, but steadfastly await the perfect darkness."
The prolongation of life which has been brought about by advances in medical science has also meant the prolongation of dying - which brings its own problems. Suicide or self-deliverance has been practised as a release from the pains and exhaustion of old age by many societies in many ages.
I know that life is sacred and that there is a fear that voluntary euthanasia could lead to compulsory euthanasia. But if there is a way out when life gets unbearable and there is no chance of recovery, it would take the dread out of aging and death would be looked on differently.
As Montaigne wrote: "Death is a most assured haven, never to be feared and often sought."
Surely, it is Dr Paddy Leahy's ultimate right to end his own life, - his life is his own, as he states - and as long as he doesn't impose his views on others he is not harming anyone else. - Yours, etc.,
From Rena Lewis
Ennis, Co Clare.