Government retains right to silence

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell is proposing a review of the rights of the accused in criminal trials.

Specifically he’s questioning the right to silence and the withholding from the jury of the criminal record of the accused.

It’s interesting that this comes at a time when the Government has granted similar rights to itself.

Recent events suggest that criminal court standards of proof are now required in matters of public probity.

If it cannot be demonstrated that favours have been done in return, it is now acceptable for politicians to fill their pockets with cash from personal benefactors.

Indeed, any suggestion of impropriety is met with charges of an unacceptable intrusion into the personal life of the recipient.

Bertie Ahern and his supporters demanded the right to silence and the past record of Fianna Fáil was not deemed to be admissible. Both avenues of escape will, in future, be denied to the accused if Mr McDowell has his way.

Caesar’s wife must be rotating in her grave, or else damning her husband for his lack of imagination and all those opportunities foregone.

Peter Molloy

9 Haddington Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin.