One resigns yet the other remains

DESPITE attempts to portray Mr Ahern’s “loan” as an innocent gesture between friends, I can’t help but think of Michael Lowry.

Both men, inappropriately — even though prior to the implementation of the ethics legislation — took money while holding public office.

One resigns as a minister and yet the other remains as Taoiseach.

Mr Ahern’s defence that he “served the State honestly” has distinct and ominous echoes of “I did the State some service”.

Haughey, Lowry and now Ahern; yes, all of them, simple men wronged.

John Coughlan

Barrack Street

Cork