Sir, - Ben Dunne and his many beneficiaries protest that nothing was given in return for the millions he dished out; there was no quid pro quo. How stupid do they think the Irish people are? It is clear that anyone who took his shilling was compromised.
Perhaps nothing was promised, nothing was asked for. But when a delicate judgement came along, the beneficiary would know that somewhere, in some dark safe or bank vault, there was a file with their name on it. They would know that this file could cost them their reputation, or their name on it. Anyone who says that this would not affect their judgement is either a fool or a liar.
To the politicians and parties who are now squealing that they should not be forced to reveal the sources of their funds, I would ask - what have you got to hide? - Yours, etc.,
Usher's Island,
Dublin 8.