Resignation of Ms Justice Laffoy

Madam, - When Ms Justice Mary Laffroy resigned from the Commission to enquire into Child Abuse she highlighted the ongoing difficulties…

Madam, - When Ms Justice Mary Laffroy resigned from the Commission to enquire into Child Abuse she highlighted the ongoing difficulties and delays the investigation was encountering. But was it her primary intention to embarrass the Government rather than to actually resolve these difficulties?

Was her decision taken in the public interest or was it taken entirely for the benefit of the individuals who have actually suffered abuse, yet may continue to suffer by the prolonging of the inquiry?

By placing blame entirely on Government through her highly principled resignation and public washing of her hands of the commission, Ms Justice Laffoy seems to have overlooked at least one of the issues involved. Why was she unable to find fault with the manner in which her former colleagues within the legal profession have contributed to the inquiry delays?

At the moment she seems to have overwhelming public support for her decision, but do the public really want another inquiry funded by the Exchequer lasting another 10 years?

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Could her resignation come to be perceived as the response of someone who perhaps is just a little too self righteous and absolute about her own opinions and who has on this occasion not been allowed her own way on this particular issue? - Yours, etc.,

HARRY MANNION, Home Farm Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.

Madam, - The Laffoy letter of resignation has put the fear of God into the Government. The Taoiseach pleads ignorance about the work of the commission.

The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, comes on TV and radio and performs as the usual Cabinet robot.

There seems to be no one in Government ready to bang the table and make religious organisations do their duty by the Laffoy Commission.

One must wonder if the commission will ever meet again. Will our civil servant masters see to it that it vanishes and that all evidence will stay in the Department's basement?

Is there a TD with guts who will take on the establishment on this issue? - Yours, etc.,

BRIAN QUINN, Kincora Grove, Dublin 3.

Madam, - We have tribunals that have devoted thousands of legal hours to diverse matters of public interest (the beef industry planning, payments to politicians, etc).

But men and women who have suffered unspeakable abuse are being told that our legal system is not efficient enough to deal with the injustices they have endured.

Where's the justice? - Yours, etc.,

PAT ROCHE, Kilmurray, Gorey, Co Wexford.