Sinn Féin being used to divert attention

I CAN understand where Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is coming from with his recent attacks on Sinn Féin, accusing them of being funded by illegal activity.

It's less than four months to the European and local elections. If I was a minister in this administration, I too would be doing everything to divert attention away from its record, its incompetence, its failure to keep election promises and the ongoing tribunals.

Our health and education services remain in crisis. Access to both these vital services have been made more difficult for people on lower incomes, with general election pledges to increase the number of families being granted medical cards being reneged on. Despite promises to eradicate waiting lists, people continue to suffer as they wait for necessary treatment.

The past two years has seen a raft of stealth taxes, with increases in motor tax, VHI, ESB, VAT, TV licence fee, credit card levy, ATM card duty, bus and train fares and college registration fees, to name just a few.

Under this Government, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen. Tribunals continue to hear evidence of possible corruption by political figures.

Anything that diverts attention away from all this is a good thing in Mr McDowell's eyes. So what if he can't produce any evidence to back up his claims? Anything to keep the media and the public eye away from the record of Mr McDowell and this Government.

Gerry Casey

7 Rosewood Court

Maugheraboy

Sligo