Political interference all too prevalent in Ireland

YET again we have had the unedifying spectacle of an elected public representative interfering in the judicial process — Labour TD Kathleen Lynch making contact with the sentencing judge in a rape case involving two young sisters.

Despite the admission by Ms Lynch that she did not know the convicted rapist, she nonetheless made representations on behalf of his family in an attempt to secure leniency in sentencing. It could be argued that Ms Lynch’s interference in this case was self-serving with the aim of ingratiating herself with her constituents for political gain.

Unfortunately, this inappropriate culture is all too prevalent in Ireland.

In 2007, Fianna Fáil TD Tony Killeen’s constituency office sought the early release of a convicted killer without having the courtesy of informing the family of the victim in advance of such a request. Surely the first priority should be to consult with the families of the victims?

Likewise, in 2002, minister of state Robert Molloy of the PDs took the honourable course and resigned from government when it was disclosed that an assistant in his office approached a judge on behalf of a constituent in relation to a rape case.

Following these revelations, Labour’s Brendan Howlin said Mr Molloy’s actions “had reduced the public’s confidence in the authority of the State” and he demanded the junior minister’s resignation.

Can we now expect the party of ethics to call for Ms Lynch to take the honourable course of action and resign, just as they demanded of Mr Molloy?

Tom Cooper

23 Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16