Sir, - With reference to P..J Stone's extraordinary statement at the GRA conference that the vast majority of people did not want an ombudsman to be appointed to investigate gardaí (The Irish Times, May 15th) I would like to ask exactly when Mr Stone was elevated to the position of spokesperson for the vast majority of this States citizens.
He also went on to say that the majority of complainants to the Garda Complaints Board had subversive or criminal leanings. Is there a particular box on the complaint form that complainants with such leanings tick? While it is glaringly obvious that gardaí do not want an independent ombudsman appointed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing and corruption against the force, I believe the vast majority of citizens would have no qualms about such an appointment. The question many people are asking is: "What are the Gardaí afraid of?" Accountability? - Yours, etc.,
CORMAC KEANE,
Fownes Street,
Dublin 2.T