Madam, - Bertie Ahern famously looked up every tree in North Dublin investigating Ray Burke's alleged irregularities. How peculiar, in the light of those arboreal investigations, that Mr Burke should end up in Arbour Hill. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN STAFFORD, Chesterfield Grove, Castleknock, Dublin 15.
Madam, - I note from your edition of January 26th that Enda Kenny is critical of the Taoiseach because he once described Ray Burke as an "honourable man".
Is this the same Enda Kenny who in the Dáil described Michael Lowry as "a man of the highest integrity and honour" (March 3rd, 1996)? - Yours, etc.,
Cllr CATHAL CROWE, (Fianna Fáil), Knockroe, Co Clare.
Madam, - I do not in any way condone Ray Burke's past actions, but I find the media's response to his trial and subsequent imprisonment distasteful and insensitive in the extreme. The man has done wrong, no doubt about that. He has been found guilty and sentenced and now he has to suffer his punishment.
But do we really need a description of his prison cell and his first meal in Arbour Hill? Can we not leave the man alone now? He has admitted his guilt, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and he is being punished accordingly. Why does the media persist in kicking him when he is down? Let he who is without sin. . . - Yours, etc.,
MAURA FARRELL, Seaview Terrace, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.