Sir, – Ivor Callelly’s solicitor, Noel O’Hanrahan, writes (August 5th) that he could have pleaded not guilty. He would then, of course, have been lying. To state that one has been dishonest does not absolve one of a crime. It is arguable that with no lies left, a cunning player knows when to stop digging and start currying favour with “honourable” truth. Mr O’Hanrahan goes on to suggest that more public funds now be spent on investigating all expenses by all politicians, past and present, a measure which would principally benefit the legal profession. Callelly was not “sacrificed on the altar of political expediency”; he was found guilty of committing a crime and is serving time for it. – Yours, etc,
SHANE O’TOOLE,
Clarinda Park,
Dún Laoghaire