Criticism of McEntee is reasonable

Sir, – I am at a loss to understand how Kathy Sheridan can describe the professional and life experience of US prosecutor Jack Smith, use quotes from Donald Trump, and journalistic nonsense in relation to a Minister’s pendant to conclude that legitimate comment on the performance of the current Minister for Justice amounts to the “edge of misogyny” (“Edge of misogyny in criticism of Helen McEntee is unmistakable”, Opinion & Analysis, August, 9th).

Since June 2020, there have been three ministers for justice, two having operated on a part-time basis. During that time, Garda recruitment has collapsed and serious crime has escalated. The fact is that the Minister has not pursued “an inclusive agenda” because the emphasis has constantly been on legal reform in the civil sector rather than dealing with a breakdown in law and order on our streets and a collapse in basic respect for An Garda Síochána.

It has taken yet another brutal attack on an innocent civilian in the inner city, this time on a US citizen and the response from the US embassy, for the Government to suddenly find €10 million for the Garda Síochána, in what could be termed a knee-jerk and stop-gap reaction to deal with a problem that has been with us for years.

Regardless of which Minister engages in a walkabout, the balance must now shift back towards an agenda which puts the safety of our communities as one of its top priorities. – Yours, etc,