A chara, - I believe that Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, May 9th) overlooks the real substance behind the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, whereby costs were awarded to the families of the IRA squad ambushed in Loughgall 14 years ago.
Many of us would agree with his assertion that the awarding of £10,000 to the families seems abhorrent. This was not the primary issue in this judgment, however. I would concur with his belief that the legal avenues did not seem to deter the members of the IRA hit squad, and these laws perhaps needed closer assessment or change, but I would argue that until then, government should always have acted within these laws.
This is not the view of a "civil liberties" group which which remains "silent about the loss of civil liberties of butchered police officers and soldiers in the North", but the opinion of an Irish citizen who believes in civil liberties for all. The rule of law is the most fundamental standard that is set in any democratic state. The court deemed that the SAS stepped outside these laws 14 years ago at Loughgall.
An accountable government, be it British or Irish, must always uphold the rule of law; otherwise it demeans the democratic principles which it must aspire to. This was the clear and unequivocal message which was sent out in this judgment. - Is mise,
Eric Crean, Togher, Co Cork.