Gilmartin’s critics might be wiser to keep their opinions to themselves

LISTENING to some of the attacks on Mr Justice Alan Mahon over his handling of Tom Gilmartin reminds me of the story of Friedrich Riesfeldt, 46, of Paderborn, Germany, a highly conscientious zookeeper who cared passionately about his animals.

When Stefan, a large African elephant, seemed out of sorts, Friedrich concluded the animal was constipated.

The zookeeper conscientiously sought a remedy, but his early ministrations were unsuccessful. On Thursday, April 23, 1998, he fed Stefan 22 doses of animal laxative, along with more than a bushel of prunes, berries and figs. But still nothing happened. He told assistant zookeeper Kurt Herrman he was going to give the elephant an olive oil enema that evening. Herrman offered to help, but Riesfeldt sent him home as he had everything under control.