Taoiseach now aware of problem with PSNI
More than any other politician in the South, he must now understand nationalist difficulties in trusting a police force which harbours a special branch involved in underhand political activities.
Bertie Ahern’s request for a more public disclosure by PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde has been met with a stony and significant silence.
However, it would be unfair of Sinn Féin supporters to point a disapproving finger at Denis Bradley, or indeed at any member of the policing board. I believe Mr Bradley and his colleagues were genuinely not aware of what was going on. But this is a different scenario. Now they know. Mr Bradley, in particular, knows he was duped. Unless he is prepared to speak up now and demand public assurances, it is difficult to see how he can remain on the policing board as a nationalist representative.
Brendan Coffey
Abbey Court
Monkstown
Co Dublin
