Wild West approach to law and order

MAYO Fine Gael deputy Michael Ring said he was “delighted” with the Nally case ruling, claiming the verdict was “not about Travellers” and that Pádraig Nally was a man “living in fear”.

Does that mean we are all free to kill any trespasser, not just Travellers? Really? Say if some middle class kid takes to burglary to finance an addiction, are we all free to shoot him even after he flees the property? Really?

A jury should acquit us? Really?

Ireland has the lowest crime rate in the western world and Mayo’s rate is even lower.

If Mr Nally was “living in fear”, then the rest of us should be permanently petrified. Mr Nally’s belief that Mayo is dangerous had nothing to do with reality. Right-wing politicians like Mr Ring want to drag us all closer to Boston and away from Berlin.

Recent gangland killings show they have already succeeded in creating an American-style underclass totally divorced from society.

The celebration of the Nally verdict shows us they are gradually succeeding in bringing America’s infantile Wild West view of law and order to us as well.

Shame on all of them.

Tim O’Halloran

23 Ferndale Road

Dublin 11