Sir, - I commend Don Mullan for his piece, "A former soldier fights to clear his name" (News Features, May 25th). The Irish Times deserves equal credit for printing it.
A few years ago, The Irish Times played a critical role in publicising the plight of my godfather, retired Garda Superintendent William Geary of New York, now 103 years old and very well.
Whether Lt de Róiste is guilty or innocent - and of what - I do not know. Clearly however, on he basis of the facts described, the Lieutenant did not receive natural justice. He was denied a hearing or trial and has not seen his file.
The Irish courts, while not reaching the substance of the issues, denied any relief by reason of Mr de Róiste's delay in seeking due process. I can appreciate that he waited some years before publicly airing his complaint. My godfather did much the same. The fear, anguish and suffering are not hard to understand.
The type of issues in the Geary and de Róiste cases are not easy for any government to tackle and resolve. The last government and Justice Minister O'Donoghue took courageous action in rendering justice to William Geary. I hope the new Government will take the de Róiste matter under review. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN P. COLLINS,
New York,
USA.