Sir, – It's important to recognise that there are thousands of excellent gardaí like Maurice McCabe and John Wilson in our (ie the people's) Garda force. So far too few of them have taken the courageous actions that Mr McCabe and Mr Wilson have undertaken, because they fear the abuse that they and their families may be subjected to. In the interests of justice they need to feel the fear and do it anyway.
Genuine mistakes are inevitable in every human organisation. Such mistakes are usually easily resolved if quickly acknowledged and corrected. It is only when a culture of cover-up and false loyalty takes root, that such mistakes lead to disasters in which serious crimes are committed which should have been prevented by proper Garda crime prevention.
In the early decades of its history the Garda force and its members were noted for their dedication, unarmed bravery, and loyalty to the state and to the people. These recent difficulties therefore can and must be overcome.
These difficulties and failures include a culture of denial and complicity with US misuse of Shannon airport, including complicity with the CIA extraordinary rendition programme that led to hundreds of prisoners being tortured in Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo and elsewhere. Crime prevention must be re-established as the primary role of An Garda Síochána. – Yours, etc,
EDWARD HORGAN,
Newtown,
Castletroy,
Limerick.