Madam, - I am at a loss to understand the legalities, justice or philosophy of the Nally verdict. And deeply concerned over the precedent now established.
Judging by media reaction and public comments, I am in a substantial minority. I believe that a lot of frustration has been building over the years in relation to the perceived general behaviour of the Travelling community. Ordinary people have met a wall of PC criticism whenever they have generalised about Travellers and their ethics concerning private and public property. But does that mean we are prepared to sanction the execution of an invader on the public highway as he flees a premises?
Maybe we could argue about shooting a known serial felon and invader in the thigh, and even 20 blows to the head with a plank. But reloading, pursuing and terminating with a shot in the back? Mr Nally was demented with fear at the time. He was also demented with rage. The charge of manslaughter, as opposed to murder, addresses these mitigations and a light sentence might also be considered. But guilty of nothing? God help us. - Yours, etc,
JOHN GRIFFIN, Kells, Co Meath.
Madam, - Michael Ring TD says he is "delighted" by the verdict in the Nally case, claims the issue was "not about Travellers" and that Mr Nally was a man "living in fear".
Does that mean that we are all free to kill any trespasser?
If some middle-class kid takes to burglary to finance some addiction, are we are free to shoot him even after he flees our property?
Ireland has the lowest crime rate in the Western world and Mayo's rate is even lower than most parts of the country. If Pádraig Nally was "living in fear", then most of us should be permanently paralysed by it. Nally's unfounded belief that Mayo was a dangerous place showed his mental state. It had nothing to do with reality.
Right-wing politicians such as Michael Ring want to drag us closer to Boston and away from Berlin. The recent killings in Dublin show us that they have succeeded in creating an American-style underclass, totally divorced from society. The celebration of the Nally verdict shows us they are also succeeding in bringing America's infantile Wild West view of law and order to us as well.
Nice work. - Yours, etc,
TIM O'HALLORAN, Ferndale Road, Dublin 11.
Madam, - The law is the law, indeed. However, often the law does not address people's real fears and concerns. In this instance the jury deviated from the strict principles of self-defence - reasonable force meeting reasonable force.
They for once understood that a single person living in an isolated area was subject to a sterner, more personal test. They understood the terror suffered by a respectable member of society when confronted with a repeated series of personal abuses and considerable invasion of privacy and personal safety.
A good day's work by the jury. A victory for decency and common sense. A victory for Pádraig Nally, more sinned against than sinning - Yours, etc,
Cllr GEAROID O'KEEFFE, Cedarmount Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.
Madam, - In the aftermath of the Nally verdict, we should be have less concern at the prospect of the impending election campaign. From repeated tribunals, we have known that our politicians are "up to no good". We have also been known to our community as people consumed by fear, especially at previous election times.
Finally this State is taking our fear of politicians seriously. We are assured by the knowledge that we can now beat them "hitting a badger", shoot them and finish the job on the public road.
Shame on us all. - Yours, etc,
KAREN WALSH, GER RYNNE, MARIA HUSS, Kingsbridge, Cork.