Sir, – I’m delighted to see Deputy Clare Daly has been cleared of drink-driving (Breaking News, February 8th). I also admire her courage in raising the issue of gardaí quashing the penalty points of certain people, including media and sports celebrities and members of An Garda Síochána.
The public needs to have absolute confidence in the integrity of our police force. But the persistent question-marks over the way in which gardaí have handled the penalty points system undermine the force’s credibility. It is very much in the interests of the force that the concerns Deputy Daly and other TDs highlighted in the Dáil are comprehensively addressed by the Government and the Garda Síochána.
I also believe TDs were justified in publicly naming those whose penalty points were struck out. This was an example of our national parliament being utilised in the way the 1916 martyrs intended: to fearlessly represent all the people of the nation equally, as distinct from pandering to the status and powerful influences of any perceived elite grouping within our society.
Lastly, how about apologies all round to Clare Daly from those hacks who so were quick to take snide swipes at her after the drink-drinking allegation was leaked to the media? Humble pie, anyone? – Yours, etc,