Sir, – Dominic Carroll (May 10th) wonders "what possessed" the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) to issue a statement regretting the resignation of the former minister for justice.
The ICCL’s statement, available on its website, regrets that it became “necessary” for the former minister to resign, clearly acknowledging the necessity of his resignation. Nonetheless, the council frankly acknowledges Mr Shatter’s significant legislative legacy, especially in the area of equality law reform. Mr Carroll may have noticed that a similar degree of magnanimity has characterised the responses to Alan Shatter’s resignation by Mick Wallace TD and Garda whistleblower John Wilson.
From the outset of the current spate of Garda-related controversies, the ICCL has called for those responsible to be held to account. It will continue to do so, but by playing the ball, not the woman or the man. – Yours, etc,
MARK KELLY,
Director,
Irish Council
for Civil Liberties,
Blackhall Place,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Readers should appreciate one aspect of Alan Shatter’s legacy – as minister for justice he ordered a review of the trial and death by hanging of Harry Gleeson for the murder of Mary McCarthy in November 1940. Harry Gleeson’s conviction has remained controversial for decades – many individuals and organisations have consistently proclaimed his innocence – and it was only because Mr Shatter reviewed the brief presented by the Innocence Project that new hope exists for a posthumous pardon for Mr Gleeson. Credit where it is due. – Yours, etc,
CAITRIONA LAWLOR,
Redesdale Road,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – With the resignation of Alan Shatter, the Irish people have lost the one minister for justice with the intelligence and strength of will to fix the systemic problem. Instead, the lack of accountability will probably persist under a friendlier face. – Is mise,
MARTIN G PADGETT,
Charles Street East,
Toronto,
Canada.