Courtroom affairs - Ban court interference

KATHLEEN LYNCH TD has apologised for intervening with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy in the case of a rapist sentenced to 14 years in jail by the Central Criminal Court last week. Trevor Casey was convicted of raping two sisters in their early teens.

Many politicians write what may be little more than perfunctory letters on behalf of constituents. But there are, however, areas in which such representations are an affront to democracy and civility.

Ms Lynch has accepted that her letter was ill advised and inappropriate. But it was not actually illegal.