Delighted for Emily Hand

Leo Varadkar went to Catholic primary school, Protestant secondary, followed by Trinity College. It would be very strange for a person of this age and background not to be familiar with this passage. This parable is used to teach the sacrament of reconciliation in Catholic schools, with children often doing role play on stage as the concept of sin is no generally no longer used in relation to children. Even cultural Catholics would be well familiar.
It was used to express the joy of the nation that Emily has been released, which was the main point of the tweet.

I just read that article.
No surprise as it will be a long journey
for all the hostages. Trying to resume
Some kind of normality is a long way off.

Just listening to a Dr from the children’s hospital in Israel

So sad, the dc are quiet and some dc speaking in whispers

So horrifying. My heart goes out to all the hostages and remembering those who did not survive October 7th

That's an interesting article, thanks for posting

Let's not forget the Irish soldiers who are currently in Lebanon, as part of the UN peacekeeping mission, facing rising tensions and the Irish soldiers who lost their lives there to the IDF who never apologised
. Israel-Lebanon border: The Irish troops watching Israel’s hidden conflict - BBC News

I also assumed the reference was a biblical one. It's a very well-known passage.

'But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

I found it quite apt. Emily was thought dead and is alive and free again.

@ChardonnaysBeastlyCat

What's wrong with you?

It's really you that's deflecting.

Using 'here' is an example of your deflection.

The position of the Irish Government, including the Taoiseach, is clear. They have actively supported and progressed Emily's release. They condemn the violence and atrocities by both sides, recognising that some of the acts are particularly heinous.

Using 'here' exactly deflects from this position, as well as ignoring the context of the social media post, which was correctly, welcoming Emily's release, and focusing on her return to her family - in this instance.

Are you Irish? If you are (or are living here), you seem really unaware; and if you are not, I really don't understand why you are commenting on matters you are clearly uninformed about.

’here’

Here it masks and minimises the hostage taking.

I think it’s your reading comprehension that’s wanting.

Nice deflection though.

Only if you are unable or haven't read the wider statements, and actions, of the Irish Government, making it abundantly clear about their position on the matter.

@ChardonnaysBeastlyCat

Of course it doesn't.

Are you Irish? Have you spent any time reading or listening to the unequivocal condemnations of violence and terrorism in the conflict?

And are you ignoring the intense and prolonged, and sensitive, diplomatic representations that helped secure Emily's release?

@Depdawg

What?

I said I was baffled by that poster's lack of comprehension with regard to how English works and is used.

If by 'entire situation' you are suggesting I don't have strong feelings about the Gaza Conflict, you're (of course) completely wrong - they are a lot stronger than 'bafflement' though. As I assume are any right-thinking person's, about atrocities on both sides.

Is the usage of lost and returned referenced above valid? Of course it is. Here though, talking about Emily Hand, it masks and minimises what really happened.

Of courseyou can talk about someone being 'returned' to you. It's a very common phrasing - nothing to do with agency. What it refers to is the 'return' being granted to you eg by a higher power / grace / God, whatever you wish, and does not absolve the factual issue of what had happened eg someone critically ill in a road accident, or forced to fight in a war, or, as here, abducted by terrorists.

No, it's you who displays a lack of understanding of how the language used here minimises the hostage taking.

She wasn't 'lost', she was taken. This is what Varadkar failed to reference.

Is that what baffles you in this whole situation? Where's that poster who was talking about privilege?

As for someone being 'returned' , that's just wrong. You return an object, you don't return someone who possesses agency themselves

It's absolutely not - you clearly have poor understanding of the English language!

Of course you can talk about someone being 'returned' to you. It's a very common phrasing - nothing to do with agency. What it refers to is the 'return' being granted to you eg by a higher power / grace / God, whatever you wish, and does not absolve the factual issue of what had happened eg someone critically ill in a road accident, or forced to fight in a war, or, as here, abducted by terrorists.

God people's lack of understanding of language is baffling.

Someone being lost means an action by themselves or an an inadvertent action by someone else. This not what happened.

Of course it doesn't. Someone can be 'lost' to you for many reasons including death, emotional loss, relationship breakdown etc.

It doesn't mean physically lost as cannot be found.

It's a linguistic term (and in this case, echoing a Bible passage & famous hymn of praise & thanks).

@Toothyfruity and yet you have...
Yawn....

No, it's not complicated.

Someone being lost means an action by themselves or an an inadvertent action by someone else. This not what happened.

As for someone being 'returned' , that's just wrong. You return an object, you don't return someone who possesses agency themselves.

I tell you why I was annoyed.
Starting off because instead of just being pleased (and this is a thread about Emily not a generic one) they had to say she looked 'healthy' which feeds into the she has just had a little break narrative.
Then to say about the children not coming home for the millionth time.
I imagine she will look 'nervous' she has just been kept hostage. It's another thing to kick Israel with.... why would they film them?
Then to defend the terminology
used in that fake 'ridiculous' way when it's about the bigger picture where Ireland are concerned.
It's whataboutery at its finest. On a thread about the return of a special little girl. Just knock it off for one thread maybe? (Que rant)

It is a bit complicated by Ireland taking a very different stance from the USA and UK on Israel however never mind Ireland's neutrality in WWII.

No idea why everyone is piling on @Toothyfruity

Their points make sense & I agree.

Leo Varadkar along with the Irish government & most Irish people deplores the violence meted out on both sides; the language used is referring to the 'loss' endured by Emily's and the joy that she has been returned to them. It's not that complicated.