This is to deny neither the epic scale of the Irish property bust nor the visible and not-so-visible scars it has left behind (see article).

ECONOMIST: Ireland��s troubles

It has left me with mental scars which could have been alleviated with kindness and compassion and understanding.

BBC: Cancer treatment 'impersonal'

But even just a few lapses of concentration in the past have cost him dearly, and he has the scars to prove it.

CNN: Meet the man who turns big cats into movie stars

"It is beyond debate that slavery has caused tremendous suffering and ineliminable scars throughout our nation's history, " Judge Charles R Norgle said in his ruling.

BBC: NEWS | Business | The vexed question of paying for slavery