Madam, - In response to F McGlynn's letter of January 24th, I would suggest the reason that the media made no link or comparison between the case of Wayne O'Donoghue and that of Lynn Gibbs is that there is no valid comparison to be made. The fact that they both involved the death of a child is irrelevant.
The hounding of Wayne O'Donoghue has been appalling. Either we want to live in a democracy under the rule of law or we do not. And if we do, we must let the criminal justice system administer justice without any subsequent trial by mob or media.
As for Lynn Gibbs, I cannot recall a case in which there was such unanimity. The legal professionals, the medical witnesses for both defence and prosecution, the judge and the jury were all of the opinion that this tragedy was a direct result of Mrs Gibbs's mental illness and it is clear that justice has been served in this case also.
To suggest that the different responses to these two cases are the result of some sort of institutional sexism is a ridiculous notion and an egregious slur on both the criminal justice system and the psychiatric profession. - Yours, etc,
SHEILA BECKETT,
Sutton,
Dublin.