Sir, – I was perplexed to read that the judge sitting at Letterkenny District Court sentenced a party to pay €100 to St Vincent de Paul (“Cases heard at Letterkenny Court reveal sad snapshot of chaotic lives”, News, September 9th). Transgressions of the law should result in fines going to the State and distributed in accordance with elected government priorities.
An award to a charity means the proceeds will be spent in accordance with the priorities and ethics of the receiving organisation.
As an agnostic and opponent of religious charities, if I were fined in such a way I would refuse to pay and they could send me to Mountjoy.
Why does the Irish legal system persist with this patronising nonsense? – Is mise,
KENNETH HARPER,
Burtonport,
Co Donegal.