Madam, - Grave injustice is being perpetrated on innocent individuals and families arising from the former practice in Irish banks of manoeuvring accounts into apparent overseas and bogus status.
I don't know any of those who were lured with "sound advice". I have, however, received startling information about a number of widows and elderly people who not only have lost all they had, but in some cases are left also with massive amounts owed to the Revenue Commissioners.
In this I am not referring to account holders who knew or suspected the subterfuge and willingly colluded with the banks.
The authorities seem not to want to face the fact that there are, for example, widows and others who were unaware that the funds in the name of the now deceased person has been "moved" by the bank in a way that was not above board. Now the Revenue imposes multiple penalties on the vulnerable survivors who do not have the means to meet the demand.
Not only are these people suffering and bewildered; they feel trampled on by powerful institutions - banks and State.
These are people who always paid their way and never wrongfully took a penny from any institution. In the new Ireland are we to accept this abhorrent treatment of the weak?
Is there any possibility that at this late stage the banks would redeem themselves to some degree by accepting that they have been complicit in visiting tragedy on innocent and decent people?
Is there any possibility that the State authorities would move to redress the persecution of innocent and decent people?
In the past few days we heard a statement from on high that it would not be in anybody's interest to bankrupt financial institutions. So whose interest is it in to bankrupt the small and innocent who trusted the probity of powerful institutions? - Yours, etc.,
Father BRIAN GEOGHEGAN, Tubber, Co Clare.