Letters to the Editor: ‘By the book’, but hurtful and needless

Aisling Walsh, Eamonn ONeill,and Annmaire Hassett with solicitor  Dan O'Gorman, after the verdict of not guilty at Limerick Court. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Almost six years ago, in July 2020, I penned a letter to the Irish Examiner under the headline of “Justice delayed is justice denied”, in which I detailed the then ongoing long saga (and about to get much longer!) regarding the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations proceedings in Limerick.

In my then correspondence, I predicted that unfortunately I was anticipating a long, drawn-out investigative process. However, even I was surprised at how long that torture would be inflicted on the members of An Garda Síochána mainly stationed in the Limerick and adjacent garda divisions.

Recently, at the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, all five defendants who had been charged with 39 separate charges, were unanimously acquitted by a jury after a two month trial.

In my original correspondence to this publication, I complimented your excellent journalist, Mick Clifford, for his intelligent reporting on the ongoing saga up to that time.

I also referred to retired chief superintendent Gerry Mahon for his fearless efforts to alert then garda commissioner Drew Harris that there was a very grave danger that a miscarriage of justice would result.

At any rate, thankfully, all the defendants were acquitted and can again breathe freely that their long torturous journey has now concluded.

That said, it’s clear to all and sundry who had eyes to see and ears to hear, that those defendants and their nearest and dearest will find it nigh impossible to put this ordeal behind them when such trauma has been inflicted needlessly on them.

No doubt when the dust settles somewhat on these unprecedented circumstances, this entire episode will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

So, I unhesitatingly salute those five acquitted — and not forgetting those who have still to have their cases “disposed” of, and the unfortunate members of the force who still stand suspended after all those years.

All can be assured that they hold the unqualified respect and admiration of all their present serving colleagues and, indeed likewise, from all their now retired friends and comrades.

Kevin McCarthy, Gouldavoher, Limerick

Reclaiming of Cork was long overdue

I recently rang my (Cork-based) 25-year-old grandson from Spain. We chatted for a while about the usual things.

He told me he was recently out with a few lads in Cork City, regaling me with what a great night out they had and that there had been a great buzz around town.

I asked him was there much trouble or hassle around.

He said you cannot walk through the city now without coming across two gardaí every 10 or 15 minutes.

Before heading off to South America in 2025, he worked in a Cork City bar in 2024.

He said the streets were not safe then, having experienced many episodes, saying garda presence was non-existant during the day, not to mention nighttime.

It was so comforting to hear a well-travelled youngster speak so highly of his native city and all it has to offer.

It would appear the people of Cork have finally got back their city. It was long overdue. What beggars belief is that it took so many years to put a decent garda presence on the streets of Cork.

You will never eradicate street violence completely, but a solid garda presence is a huge deterrent.

Well done to all concerned.

Michael Coughlan, Allihies, West Cork

Democracy’s inflection point

There is much talk in Minnesota of “inflection points”, “watersheds”, and “Rubicons”.

It only took 10 years for the world’s longest running democracy to go from “when you’re a star, they let you do it” to masked brown-shirted thugs with assault rifles and $50,000 signing bonuses murdering innocent civilians in the streets.

To those in this country who speak of “common sense” while stirring the greasy xenophobic pot and supping with Maga “influencers”: Please apply that flattering unction to yourselves before inflicting it on the rest of us.

Michael Deasy, Bandon, Cork

Casualties of the ‘culture war’

Mick Clifford has a lot to say about teachers, most of it speculative. 

Creating an inclusive environment is not a burden to these capable and caring professionals; it is a core component of our modern educational system.

It is perhaps worth noting that the most significant disruption to Irish schooling in recent years did not come from trans children wanting to learn in peace, but from vocal opponents of the basic respect exemplified by pronoun usage, as the ongoing Enoch Burke saga shows.

When we strip away the lazy “culture war” rhetoric, we are simply talking about children who deserve to be seen and supported. It would be helpful to have less speculation and considerably more attention to the voices of trans and gender diverse young people.

Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

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