Release whistleblowers like Margaretta Darcy

As the scandals unfold at the Central Remedial Clinic, and other top payments that look more like grand larceny, we learn that a 79-year-old Aosdána member and long-time human rights activist Margaretta Darcy has been jailed in Limerick prison for protesting against the use of Shannon airport by torturers, human rights abusers and US war criminals.

The elite states of the world such as the US can do what they like internationally with apparent impunity, and our Irish “elite” white collar criminals appear to be able to do likewise with impunity in Ireland.

It is the whistleblowers like Private Manning and Margaretta Darcy who are jailed and the most vulnerable in Irish society who are punished by having the funding for the vital services either withdrawn or stolen.

In addition we have to suffer the indignity of hearing the Fianna Fáil party seeking the high moral ground on such issues even though they were complicit in US military and CIA use of Shannon airport and in the political and economic corruption that facilitated scandals such as that at the CRC.

It’s time to release the courageous whistleblowers and put the real criminals into their cells.

Edward Horgan

Castletroy

Co Limerick