Divisive legacy of man who served only himself

COMMON thievery may sometimes have an understandable, or even honourable, motive: necessity, for example the drug addict who needs a fix, the alcoholic a drink or the starving a meal.

But there is no honour in robbery for lifestyle, no nobility in talking scraps from the tables of merchant princes or in pushing others to the brink of the poorhouse with unprecedented taxation levels. Any efforts to excuse such behaviour are just weasel words from interested parties. Charlie Haughey, even from beyond the grave, continues to divide those who still remain in denial from those who have been chastened and damaged by the callousness of his actions.

This is his real legacy.