Sir, - Allow me to comment on Dr Rory O'Hanlon's letter in your edition of February 12th. He says that "you are in Fianna Fail. . .not for what you can get". Recent well-published scandals in this country suggest otherwise for a number of his colleagues!
Dr O'Hanlon appears to have lost the plot. His letter smacks of the breathtaking arrogance to which his party so often treats the Irish people. He speaks of the "tiny few" who have not lived up to expected standards. How is it that Fianna Fail so consistently appoint this "tiny few" to senior positions? And how is it that this tiny few generate so much scandal in public life?
I suggest to Dr O'Hanlon that he should do what most of your readers did last Saturday by turning across the page to Dick Walsh's article which tells it as it is: there is little sign of change from the current regime. Mr Ahern's handling of the Haughey, Burke, Flynn, Ellis and Foley affairs (how many more have I missed?) leave us in no doubt about that.
Dr O'Hanlon, when next putting pen to paper, would be better advised to submit a few words of apology to the Irish people for the damage his party has inflicted on Irish political life. Even a few words of humility would do. Then and only then could the contents of his letter be taken seriously. In the meantime, he is fooling nobody except himself. - Yours, etc.,
Desmond P. Clancy, Pinebrook, Trim, Co Meath.