Sir, - Your report (The Irish Times, September 4th) of the Garda News editorial which was critical of remarks by the Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr Eamon Walsh, at the inter-faith service celebrating the 75th anniversary of the foundation of An Garda Siochana has missed the essential points made by the editorial.
Garda News criticised the bishop for falling into the common trap of misrepresenting the "right to silence" debate. No one is suggesting that anyone be denied the "right to silence". What is at issue is society's right to hear about that silence. To quote the Garda News editorial directly: "The suspect has the right to remain silent all right - apparently the jury's only right is to remain in ignorance."
Secondly, by raising the "zero tolerance" issue the bishop, no doubt unintentionally, created the converse impression that the Garda authorities and/or the Garda associations were pressing for such a policy. On the contrary all the bodies are on record as saying that a rigorous, blanket "zero tolerance" policy is not appropriate to this country at this time.
Finally Garda News was critical of the bishop for raising the issues at what should have been a joyous, prayerful celebration of 75 years of successful policing of this country by a force which continues to enjoy a high standing among the population, in spite of the tribulations of recent years.
It is to be regretted that his comments shifted the emphasis away from that joyous celebration to controversial matters relating to the criminal justice system. - Yours, etc., AUSTIN KENNY, Editor, Garda News, Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.