Act in haste, repent in leisure...

The speed with which our new Minister for Justice acted in giving additional powers to the GSOC, makes me recall the old adage of those who act in haste.

One had only to observe the hash GSOC made of the alleged bugging saga at their offices and their admission that they shut down the investigation when ‘they found no garda involvement’. It would appear they had no interest if some other group had been so involved — that is of course, ‘if there ever was any bugging at all’.

The release of the “bugging story” must obviously have come from their own people. Why have they displayed a lack of interest in that aspect?

Considering they were unable to keep information confidential in their own offices, I would have to question the minister’s decision to extend their powers and in providing them with access to the Garda Pulse System.

Her concern about a culture of nepotism within An Garda Síochána is showing a failure to recognise that it has been her own colleagues within the political arena who have used and abused the force since the foundation of the State.

Things have a habit of coming back to bite people and I would suggest that the minister should purchase some fairly tough clothing.

Tony Fagan

94 Bellefield Road

Enniscorthy

Co Wexford