Letters to the Editor: Unfair conviction of garda in bike pursuit

'If we are serious about prevention of scramblers on our roads, and keeping fatality numbers down, then how do we stop it if we are vigorously pursuing those who protect us and keep us safe?' File picture

The recent conviction of a garda member who pursued scramblers into Belvedere Ave in May 2024 will give many garda drivers food for thought.

Why would any member of the force jeopardise their career, or their driving licence, if waiting in the background is a summons or charge?

Fiosrú, formerly the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, took two complaints from a couple in Belvedere Ave, along with CCTV, as part of its investigation. It could identify the garda driver but not the riders of the scramblers, it seems.

This leaves open to question who will prevent the use of scramblers in public places if garda drivers can, or will, be prosecuted.

While, sadly, it took the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Finglas in January for the ban on scrambler bikes on public roads to be introduced under Grace’s Law, it seems some organs of the State — which includes the courts, as in this case — are willing to pursue those who we tasked to implement our laws, risking their lives with regards to stopping said scramblers, while holding them to an even higher degree of responsibility to account for their actions in a court of law, and not the actual perpetrators they were pursuing.

A news report on March 4 makes reference to a Kieran Davitt in the same Belvedere Ave who, as the heading goes, “recklessly bought a stolen motorbike on Facebook with a tracking device”, which gardaí investigated and seized, and a prosecution followed.

It seems this area has a problem with motorbikes being recklessly used or bought.

If we are serious about prevention of scramblers on our roads, and keeping fatality numbers down, then how do we stop it if we are vigorously pursuing those who protect us and keep us safe?

Christy Galligan,Letterkenny, Co Donegal

United Ireland team

Regarding Enda Brady’s March 30 article, I’m so glad someone finally managed to bring this topic to the fore. It is genuinely shocking that this is never discussed — even just at a conceptual level. What gives? At least let’s have a discussion.

I’ve been harping on about it for years to anyone who will listen. Soccer is such a competitive sport, to deprive ourselves of selecting the best 11 on such a small island is pure folly. Massively to the detriment of both jurisdictions, both sets of fans, development of our domestic league and the profile of the sport in general. Talk about a no-brainer.

Just imagine some of the combined teams we could have fielded over the years. I firmly believe we could be a strong and competitive small European nation — think Serbia, Denmark, or Switzerland.

I’ve actually (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) earmarked this as one of the biggest windfalls of reunification. But, perhaps if it preceded a United Ireland, it would be a great way to build bridges between both communities. Only positive things could come from a combined 11 qualifying or going deep into a major tournament. The scenes.

Thank you Enda Brady for making this very relevant and exciting point.

JP Curran, Manila, Philippines

Ungodly US empire

On this Good Friday, while we remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by the combined forces of empire and religion 2,000 years ago, we are witnessing yet another crucifixion in the Middle East — not of just one man but of thousands of innocent civilians by a modern empire justified by a brand of Christian nationalism, as repeatedly expressed by US secretary of war Pete Hegseth.

The modern US empire is as brutal and murderous as the ancient Roman Empire ever was and, like the Roman Empire, preaches that it is being supported by a distorted vision of God.

Last Sunday in Rome, a follower of Jesus Christ, Pope Leo, challenged Trump’s war secretary’s use of God’s name to justify his murderous war by declaring: “Jesus is the king of peace who rejects war and whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: Your hands are full of blood.’”

Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, Dublin 9

Hospital wait

The first thing to strike casual observers about the new National Children’s Hospital design is its curvature and spacecraft-style intricacy. In other words, it looks expensive. One wonders whether this level of visual impressiveness was ever really necessary for what is a quintessentially functional facility.

As the (generally excellent) minister for health and the (heroically acronymised) NPHDB [National Paediatric Hospital Development Board] struggle to deal with BAM, you do have to wonder whether the State needs training in how to deal with builders.

The difficulty with the hospital is ordinary and obvious. The building is useless until it is open, and the contractor can delay this quite easily. BAM has been paid most of the money and the Government has none of the hospital. Our adversarial parliamentary system is naturally critical of the Government in this instance, and this criticism unintentionally strengthens the builder’s position.

This, in turn, indirectly pressurises the State to pay. This could go on for a good while yet and, as every large contractor knows, if you look after the millions, the billions will take care of themselves.

This kind of end-stage finger trap and money pit will be familiar to anyone who has ever built so much as a flat-roofed extension. The State appears to have been lassoed here, and we desperately need to avoid these long-tailed publicly funded building debacles in the future. In the meantime, we see a reform-minded minister held to ransom, the taxpayer tied by the toe to an ever-inflating balloon, and the children paying the ultimate price which will never be accounted for. Because in health, in particular, the really big mistakes never are.

Michael Deasy, Bandon, Co Cork

Energy credits

The Government decided it was never again going to support energy credits. It would be true to say it is trying not to go there again this time. However, with the changing economic topography, it’s my assertion the Government will have to revisit this hoary old chestnut. I think it’s all going to depend on where oil and gas prices go in the next few months, but I do think this administration will have to reintroduce these credits.

I am acutely aware it’s always a risk that a temporary measure or a tax cut could become permanent.

That’s one of the reasons why officials in the Department of Finance, no doubt, were urging caution and encouraging the Government to do less. However, it’s my contention that there should be fluidity and flexibility in this.

We should change according to the circumstances we find ourselves in.

This administration has talked about our rainy day funds. May I respectfully remind them that the rainy days are now here.

John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here