Madam, - I am dismayed at the deification of Charles Haughey which has gripped the Irish media. This was most recently demonstrated in Des Peelo's article in your edition of September 16th).
In the wake of the RTÉ series on the former Taoiseach's life, it appears to have become de rigueur for commentators to pay homage to the man for all the "good" he did for this country, while sublimely dismissing the breathtaking double standards, bullying, arrogance and tax evasion which were part and parcel of his reign.
Mr Haughey may well have entered political life with the aim of doing good, as Mr Peelo claims. However, this high-minded motivation quickly fell victim to the more gratifying return of grandeur, riches and influence in high society. Charles Haughey prioritised his own extravagant private life at the expense of decent, hard-working Irish people.
The Moriarty Tribunal revealed the vast sums of his party's money which he spent on Charvet shirts and expensive dinners, while loftily urging the public to "tighten their belts". Mr Haughey also received £1.3 million from Ben Dunne, which he failed to declare to the Revenue.Tribunals have cost this State over €100 million since 1997, mainly uncovering the corrupt acts of people such as Charlie Haughey.
I realise that all humans are fallible, and politicians cannot be expected to be any different. However, Charles Haughey did not just make a few gaffes, a few inane, forgivable mistakes. He consciously and repeatedly stole from the Irish people for many years. What a pity Eddie Hobbs was not around in those days to expose the ultimate "Rip-Off Republican". - Yours, etc,
Cllr LUCINDA CREIGHTON,
Herbert Park Mews,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.
Madam, - Des Peelo's fawning article on former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey failed to mention the venal attributes of this great man. How he corrupted the system and how others took their lead from him cannot be understated. I have in mind Messrs Burke, Lawlor, Flynn. etc. Monkey see, monkey do.
His opportunism was best exemplified by his opposition to the Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985 and his dispatching of Brian Lenihan to the United States to oppose it. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN McCAFFREY,
Clifton Crescent,
Galway.
A chara, - Des Peelo's birthday tribute to Charles Haughey prompted me to consult The Lives of the Saints for some more information on the said man of God. Would you believe that this modern-day Francis of Assisi was nowhere to be found in the venerable tome? - Is mise,
JIM ELDER-ENNIS,
Farnborough,
Hampshire,
England.