A chara, - Let me congratulate John Waters (Opinion, October 23rd) for his empathetic plea to the national conscience with regard to Charles Haughey's illness. In light of the worrying level of cynicism concerning the former Taoiseach' poor state of health, Mr Waters's article was a refreshing and brave exercise in compassion and objectivity.
Revelations about Mr Haughey's past have been well documented in the media and through the Moriarty Tribunal. However, contrary to popular and often myopic media trends, Mr Waters avoids making historically expedient the manifold public benefits that Mr. Haughey implemented during his time in power. Surely this is a more responsible way than to vilify a sick man.
And if, as Mr Waters asserts, the blame for any sense of malaise is collective in nature, let us acknowledge this and begin the process of forgiveness. Now let us all move on. - Yours, etc.,
Quincy Luke Griffin, Department of Management and Marketing, University College Cork.