‘Exemplary’ and ‘professional’?

Sir, – Anonymous military sources told The Irish Times that a senior officer giving sworn evidence in court was using HR terms, not giving a personnel endorsement, when he described a miscreant as “exemplary” and “professional” (“Defence Forces morale on the floor as commentary over Cathal Crotty case seen as unfair”, News, June 27th).

Would you please seek an off-the-record briefing from a dictionary and tell us the difference? – Yours, etc,

Dr JOHN DOHERTY,

Gaoth Dobhair,