Affront to justice

The sentence of 18 months handed down to Eamonn Lynch, who pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of teenager Shane Patton in Co. Donegal in 2012 is an affront to justice (‘Banned. But still he killed my lovely son,’ MoS, January 29).

This was not a momentary lapse of judgment by Lynch ,who had amassed almost 500 convictions, was drunk, had no driving licence, no NCT on the car, and no tax or insurance at the time.

If this sentence represents the values of Ireland’s justice system, then this country is holed below the moral water line.

May I extend my sympathies to the family of Shane Patton for the clearly inadequate sentence? Your pain and loss is society’s pain and loss. The imposition of unduly lenient sentences must be addressed by the Oireachtas.

Tom Cooper, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.