Sir, - The assertion in your editorial (July 10th) that public awareness of the financial dealings between Mr Ben Dunne and Mr Charles Haughey owes, and I quote, "everything to investigative reporting and a vigilant press", beggars belief.
Mr Charles Haughey was elected leader of the Fianna Fail party in November 1979 and remained in this position until February 1992. During this time he was Taoiseach of this country on three occasions. He lived a life surrounded by the trappings of grandeur: a Gandon mansion, a private island, a yacht, an art collection, horses and a large wine cellar. This life, at a conservative estimate, would cost him at least 10 times his net salary as Taoiseach or leader of the Opposition. This in a man with no other visible source of wealth. Where, I ask, were all our "investigative journalists" and where were the vigilant press during this time? Certainly they did not show the courage or determination that we the public have a right to expect of them.
It is pure chance that Mr Haughey's dealings with Mr Dunne have emerged as a result of Mr Lowry's problems. What a pity for all of us that journalists did not have the courage and conviction to investigate Mr Haughey in a similar vein all those years ago. - Yours, etc., Dr M. A. HONAN, Portarlington, Co Laois.