Madam, - I was glad to see that a politician with a high profile has been moved to write on the implications of the Dean Lyons case (Opinion & Analysis, March 1st), but was disappointed at Pat Rabbitte's failure to reach the obvious conclusion: we in the Republic need a police ombudsman with the same powers as that our Government insisted be established in the North.
We have a Minister of Justice of unparalleled arrogance who has dug his heels in and refuses to concede on this issue, foisting upon this jurisdiction a lesser body with fewer powers and less opportunity, whatever their inclination, to promote high standards in policing.
This should not be understood as a blanket attack on An Garda Síochána, for most of whose members I have a deep respect. But there can be no denying that "bad apples" have made an appearance in Donegal; and irrespective of the lack of convictions, policing at the Reclaim the Streets rally could, to say the least, have been improved.
Now, with an admission from the Commissioner that Dean Lyons confessed to crimes that he could not have committed, we have a case crying out for justice.
If the Minister takes his portfolio at all seriously, he should declare immediately his intention to learn from the North and establish an ombudsman before the next election.
We might even have the great good fortune to find somebody of the integrity and commitment of Nuala O'Loan to take the role. - Yours, etc.,
CATHAL TYNER, New Row Square, Dublin 8.
