Sir, – As a professional archivist for the last 30 years, I welcome the proposal to protect privately held records relating to Ireland’s institutional past (“New law will make it a criminal offence to destroy records of survivors of institutional abuse”, News, October 15th).
However, much of the damage has already been done and I cannot see how such destruction of records, no matter how malicious, can be penalised retrospectively. In addition, I do not think that there has ever been a prosecution, never mind a conviction, under Section 18 of the National Archives Act or any other relevant legislation. – Yours, etc,
DONAL MOORE,
Ferrybank,
READ MORE
For flax sake: why is the idea of a new flag for Northern Ireland so controversial?
The secret loves of property writers: Our top 10 favourite homes of 2024
No work phone? Companies that tell staff to bring their own could be walking into danger
Sally Rooney: When are we going to have the courage to stop the climate crisis?
Waterford.