Sir, – There is a detectable and understandable frustration in Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s resignation statement, especially in her expression of not being able to carry out her core policing job due to the demands of the unending cycle of investigations and inquiries.
Unfortunately, some of these “investigators” saw a populist godsend and, unashamedly, took a grandstanding attitude for party or institutional self-promotion and for personal embellishment. The Government would do well, for future reference, to note this egotism and listen to why the commissioner could not attend properly to her core work. A forlorn hope, I admit, seeing that the Taoiseach was quick to note something she did not say, ie that her decision to retire was made in the best interests of An Garda Síochána. Even in her resignation the “powers that be” will hear what they want to hear and make of it what they will. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – Nóirín O’Sullivan made two mistakes. The first was being human and the second was being a woman. Mammy could not make the dinner quick enough for the Establishment Ireland babies, and that includes the populist “pseudo-left” . – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Firhouse, Dublin 24.
Sir, – To lose one Garda commissioner may be regarded as a misfortune, but to lose two looks like carelessness. – Yours, etc,
EAMON FARRELL,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – Now that Nóirín O’Sullivan has gone, the new broom, whoever he or she may be, will be subject to the same, well-entrenched silent treatment that has become the hallmark of the current Irish policing system. Overall management seems non-existent. God help the hard-working gardaí on the front line. – Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY,
Dublin 5.