Pretence of restraint gives way to untrammelled judgment

THE Romans put it well, Michael McDowell told the Dáil, in the wake of Charles Haughey’s death on Tuesday. “De mortuis nil nisi bonum,” he said, “which means, ‘speak only good of those who lie dead’.”

There would be “plenty of time, hereafter, for passionate and dispassionate assessments” of Mr Haughey’s legacy, he added.

Political leaders on both sides of the House voiced their agreement with that sentiment. Yet, not all managed to observe it. There was a pretence of restraint, perhaps, but that was all.