Letters: The Irish justice system leaves me disgusted again, but I’m absolutely not shocked

“This is a tribunal, young man, not a tribunal of justice,” declared the scholar. This is where the problem lies. Technically, the Limerick courts gave Natasha O’Brien law, but not justice, in my opinion, after hearing about her brutal attack.

Cartoonist Edgar Argo once said: “Justice is blind, but it has sophisticated listening devices.”

I have lost count of the number of times people, mainly men, from certain areas of Irish life, have avoided a prison sentence for assault, simply because their status would be compromised.

In the 1950s, a judge in Belmullet gave young troublemakers three choices: prison, take the boat to England or join the army. It seems the latter wouldn’t be an option for him today.

I am disgusted by the Irish justice system which is once again failing women. But am I shocked? Not that much.

John Cuffe, County Meath

Senior Defense Force officer’s words sound like reprimand to child

Regarding Cathal Crotty’s actions, his senior officer, Commander Paul Togher, told the court he was “exceptionally disappointed and surprised” by Crotty’s behavior during the assault on Natasha O’Brien in a Limerick Street.

Such comments are usually used by teachers and parents to reprimand children for minor offenses.

I note that Commander Togher did not express shock, horror, outrage or revulsion at the fact that this soldier attacked a young woman, beat her unconscious, and then bragged about it on social media.

Anne Murtagh, County Kilkenny

Victims of crime must be told that their interests must be respected above all else

Last week, another woman victim of violence received the message from our justice system that the impact of the crime committed against her mattered less than the consequences on the career of the person who committed it.

If the first injury is the violence itself, the second, if no less devastating, is surely let down by a justice system which, by failing to hold the person guilty of the attack duly responsible for their actions, refused to hear or fully acknowledge the experience. of his victim and the harm done to him.

If our justice system is to live up to its responsibilities to protect the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of creed, color or gender, meaningful change must be made by those in power on behalf of the victims of abuse and violence who are brave enough to come forward and tell their stories.

We must ensure that victims can be confident that the justice system will respect their interests above all else.

Cate Ryan, Milltown, Dublin 6

I will always hold Eamon Ryan in higher regard than Michael O’Leary

I disagree with Robert Sullivan’s comments that future generations will appreciate Michael O’Leary and his cheap flights more than Eamon Ryan’s green legacy (“Ryan will be remembered for farting cows , O’Leary’s legacy has much more to offer” – Letters, June 24).

It amazes me how we fail to see the damage that the majority of us continue to cause to the planet.

Mr. Sullivan talks about the quality of life that O’Leary offers us. Can he really not see that Ryan is the one seeking to improve the quality of life for us and future generations?

Does he honestly think they will appreciate cheap flights to warm destinations when climate change is causing such damage?

Every night on the news we see flooding in one part of the world or heat waves in another.

I may not agree with everything the Greens propose, but I know that most of their ideas are for the common good. The UN has declared several times recently that we are on the verge of a crisis.

I suspect Mr. Sullivan is the same age as me, and with our maturity we know, or should know, that O’Leary’s comments have one goal in mind: to increase the number of passengers on his planes, so that Ryan thinks of the common good.

I will always hold Ryan in the highest regard.

Donough O’Reilly, Kilmacud, County Dublin

The Minister of Transport can hold his head high to serve the State

Robert Sullivan, somewhat crudely, ridicules Eamon Ryan about “his wasted years in politics talking about farting cows” (Letters, June 24).

At the same time, he praised Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary as “one who will not be forgotten for his positivity and generous service to the Irish people”.

Clearly, Mr. Sullivan prefers his vacuous “heroes of lucre” to genuine statesmen who attempt to aspire to JFK’s provocative words: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what what you can do for your country. »

I suspect O’Leary and his no-frills airline are currently licking their lips over the dispute surrounding Aer Lingus as the summer holidays dawn.

Of course, he will probably say he is doing the state a favour by easing the disappointed public with extra flights. Couple that with his recent glee at Ryan’s departure as Green Party leader, and he must feel like Christmas is coming early.

His admirers will scorn any criticism. Ryan, however, can hold his head high for providing true service to the state.

Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, County Waterford

Trump’s performance has never improved, as far as I know.

Donald Trump has said he is prepared to undergo a performance-enhancing drug test before the next televised debate with Joe Biden.

He can save time because there is absolutely no evidence of performance enhancement, and if he took such drugs he would have to ask for reimbursement.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne

Surely the United States can offer better choices than what is on offer?

I understand that there will be a “great debate” in the United States between two old men who want to lead the most powerful country in the world. I wonder if this is the best the world’s remaining “superpower” can offer?

R Connelley, County Galway