Sir, – Minister for Justice Alan Shatter complained in the Dáil on Tuesday that the State expended more than €17.3 million in security costs at Shannon between 2004 to 2013 because of opposition to the US military presence at the airport.
There is, of course, an obvious solution that would save the State these utterly wasted millions and, simultaneously, would ensure the speedy release of the indomitable Margaretta D’Arcy from Limerick Prison. Ask the US war machine to remove itself from Shannon Airport and restore the facility to civilian use only. – Yours, etc,
FINTAN LANE,
Lennox Place,
Portobello, Dublin 8.
Sir, – Whether or not he likes it, President Higgins and his family no longer have the luxury or the freedom to do as they want. With great privilege comes at least some responsibility. Sabina Higgins, as a private citizen, is free to visit whoever she likes in prison. Like Caesar’s wife, as the spouse of the President her choices may need to be more circumspect.
Her husband has sworn to uphold the Constitution and the separation of powers which recognise the independence of the judiciary. Under Article 13.6 of the Constitution he also carries the responsibility of exercising the right to pardon, commute or remit punishments imposed by any court exercising criminal jurisdiction. The President must, like the Chief Justice who swears to do so, exercise the office “without fear or favour, affection or ill-will towards any man” (or woman). It is therefore important that the Office of the President should always be seen to accord the highest of respect to the judicial system and never to knowingly undermine the authority of its judges or the decisions of the courts.
If anyone connected with the President’s household does wish to visit a prisoner he or she should do so with the utmost discretion? One presumes that Ms Higgins did not use the office to effect special facilities or privileges when visiting Limerick prison or use taxpayer funds to book, travel or be accompanied on such a visit. It may be too egalitarian to expect that she was accorded the same level of courtesy and respect that prison officers usually give to those visiting their friends and family in the bleak and terrifying confines of our State prisons. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL ANDERSON,
Moyclare Close,
Baldoyle,
Dublin 13.