Sir, - Reading the piece in your paper on Monday about the two French brothers accused of murdering four girls, I was saddened to note the fact that both men had served only a fraction of their previous sentences for rape and murder was not seen as a reason for international outrage. Nobody expects any better nowadays from our laughable bureaucracies. We know that the words "prevention of crime" and "rehabilitation" are worth no more than any other political slogan.
I hope that the mindless dogooders who campaign against the death penalty, and blather from their cosy little worlds about the rights of criminals, are prepared to take joint responsibility for the deaths of these four young girls. To judge from the media, I am in a lunatic fringe minority in wondering when all the innocent people in the world are going to get some rights and protection. - Yours, etc.,
Tinahely,
Co. Wicklow.