Protesters fail to put victims first

THE recent media furore over the “rape tape” seemed me to be the over-the-top reporting of some unpleasant jokes made by gardaí during private, stress-relieving banter, concerning the consequences they face if lawbreakers are harmed in any way.

I must admit that one tends to become inured to such sickening talk when it is frequently thrust into your face by some so-called comedians and by a number of distasteful series broadcast on the television. Personally, I do not feel that I have the right to criticise the idle chatter of the men (or women), who are required to wear body armour in order to give them some little protection whilst carrying out their everyday duties on the street. I was, in fact, more irritated by the fact that the story was given priority over murders and armed robbery.

However, Michael Clifford’s article (Forum, April 9), has put a much more serious slant on the story. It is now apparent that the Shell to Sea protest group (S2S) have manipulated a number of publicity-seeking pressure groups, anything-for-a-vote TDs and naive reporters into unwittingly, perhaps, supporting their tainted agenda of discrediting the GS by any means possible. The insidious machinations of S2S have been carried out with no consideration for the immeasurable effect their actions will have on the confused minds of victims of rape and domestic abuse.

Dave Elley

Douglas

Cork