Can’t drown out brave TDs who highlighted crisis

In my mind’s eye I see a huge bandwagon rolling through the political landscape, with senior Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Labour and Sinn Féin figures all shouting to get our attention while they tell us how shocked they are by the treatment of the Garda whistleblowers.

They each stress that they have always had the interests of those brave people at heart and are committed to recognising their uncommon valour and sacrifice.

Drowned out by the unmerciful racket of this bandwagon are the voices from the past, which were scorned, dismissed or ignored by the main parties in the Dáil and excoriated in the media.

Skilfully using Dáil privilege, Clare Daly, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Mick Wallace and Joan Collins brought the plight of whistleblowers to public attention. As a society, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

I’ll never forget how establishment politicians laughed at those four deputies and their distinctive non-conformist approach, opposing corruption, holding ministers to account and fighting for justice. Who’s laughing now?

John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.