Madam, – I am shocked at the letter with multiple signatures (July 8th) from members of the legal profession.
It is such a pity that so many criminal lawyers, so very frequently paid their exorbitant hourly fees with taxpayers’ money for their allegedly penniless defendants, are more concerned with the human rights of gangland criminals that with the rights of the ordinary citizens of our State.
In the my book, the new Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill does not go far enough, and if its enactment stops one single Irish citizen from being intimidated, attacked or murdered then it will have served its purpose.
Shame on those lawyers who place the dubious rights of the poor suffering criminal few over the clear and basic rights of the many. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Whilst the 133 defence and prosecution lawyers say they are seeking time for “a reasoned debate” on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill (July 8th) will they please suggest an interim solution that appeals to society and to the young man shot dead last Saturday night in Dublin 15 who was not offered the facility of a “reasoned debate”. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The ongoing erosion of civil rights in our society derives, ultimately, from the fact that criminal groups and individuals have grown in numbers and achieved great power and influence – including the ability to undermine the legal system.
The power and influence of gangsters derives, in large part, from profits made from the sale of illegal recreational drugs. Legalising recreational drugs would undermine organised crime at a stroke, as well as bringing in much-needed tax revenue.
The parallel with the prohibition of alcohol in the US in the 1920s, and the corresponding rise of gangsterism with all its associated problems, is fairly obvious.– Yours, etc,
Madam, – When such a large group of eminent solicitors and barristers feel it necessary to question the forthcoming introduction of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, I am inclined to think that we ought to give their opinion some serious consideration before proceeding. If, as is proposed in this Bill, the opinion of a member of the Garda is to replace the need for evidence in bringing about a conviction can we just imagine how this could have been used in the Dean Lyons and McBrearty cases.
Although on the other hand it is worth noting the restraint shown by the Garda in not using the CAB legislation against politicians who were suspected of recieving money illegally, so it is possible that this emerging legislation, severe as it may seem, could be used in a very limited and restrained manner and for a specific set of circumstances, although I wouldn’t bet on that!
I recall the politicians prior to the introduction of the Offences against the State legislation in the 1970s assuring us that it would only be used against those threatening the security of the State, whereas it was first used against striking workers and nowadays is on the lips of nearly every arresting garda. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The answer to the important letter by the group of lawyers was to be found on the same page in a letter by Seamus O’Callaghan. Bad law is not the answer to criminal activity. Bad legislation of any kind serves to illustrate the inept and uninformed legislators that sit in Dáil Éireann, on both sides of the house. What is required to defeat criminal gangs is a political will to serve all the people, not just select sections. There is ample legislation in Ireland; it requires enforcement.
The core cause of criminality in many cases is a lack of social equality and cohesiveness; something that requires to be continually addressed.
AE (George Russell) and Sir Horace Plunkett were well aware of the dangers of the gombeen man to Irish society at the turn of the 20th Century.
Despite the best efforts of these great Irishmen the gombeen man tribe continues to rule Ireland incoherently. – Yours, etc,