No surprise in TD’s disgusting behaviour

I WAS disgusted but not surprised at the insult by PJ Sheehan, the Cork South West Fine Gael TD, to a member of the gardaí at Leinster House.

He waited until the matter was raised in the media before he made any admission and half-hearted apology.

Would he not feel that his first action should have been to contact the garda in person and make his apology directly rather than wait for months before he would lump the apology to her in with a general apology covering the Fine Gael party, its leader, his constituents, his wife and family. The lack of any apparent interest in taking action on the matter by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and by the garda authorities is also a matter of serious concern.

The Fine Gael reply that “the incident referred to here is entirely a matter for the gardaí” raises the question of the party’s responsibility for the conduct of its own TDs – or do they feel such unacceptable behaviour can be swept under the carpet by being told to “ignore” it?

I am not surprised since Mr Sheehan’s behaviour is no different to displays of arrogance by certain politicians of all parties. It is about time leaders of all parties made it abundantly clear to members they have a duty to behave themselves in a manner befitting elected politicians.

The lack of action by the garda authorities in such matters can be due to the type of threats made by Sheehan to a garda’s career prospects.

Tony Fagan

Bellefield Road

Enniscorthy

Co Wexford