Madam, - The controversy caused by Mr McDowell's attack on Frank Connolly is indicative of a nation divided. There are those who fear the continued encroachment of Sinn Féin/IRA on our state; then there are those who tell us that we are being hysterical or, worse, anti-peace process. Mr McDowell is enduring charges of having abused the power of his office and of the Dáil, yet for many he has done his duty and done it heroically.
That fulfilling one's duty should be regarded as heroic is evidence enough that this country requires an organisation such as the CPI. Those whom we have elected as our administrators have in general proven to be both craven and grasping. That this organisation should be free of politicians and privately funded is obvious. However, those who run it should be open to scrutiny and be held to very high standards.
When one takes on a role of responsibility one is automatically subject to more stringent standards of behaviour. There are some professions where absolute proof of innocence is more important than a court acquittal. This should be the accepted condition of politicians and self-appointed public watchdogs.
Mr McDowell has done this State some service. He has put himself in the firing line so that the citizens of this State may know the quality of those who have assumed the right to hold our Government to account. Many people are grateful to him for his actions in relation to Frank Connolly and his continued defence of this State against Sinn Féin/IRA and those who would bow down to them. We can only hope that he will continue to uphold the integrity of this State. And I hope we can look forward to another, suspicion-free organisation being formed that will investigate the more base among our politicians. - Yours, etc,
PAUL BOWLER, Lixnaw, Co Kerry.