Judges fail us with soft sentences in rape cases
FURTHER to Mary Carr’s column on the appallingly lenient sentence imposed on the rapist of Ms Lavinia Kerwick (MoS, December 2), is it not the case that sentences handed down in the courts should reflect society’s abhorrence of certain crimes?
Sentences should also reflect what the judiciary regard as serious crimes and what they do not and therefore set standards of behaviour in society. Regrettably, this is not the case.
In 2007 a young deaf mother of three from Co. Clare was raped in her own home while her children were present and upon conviction the rapist was handed a threeyear suspended sentence.
Upon leaving the courthouse, the rapist flicked a lighted cigarette butt at the victim and was subsequently taken back before the courts and had the suspended sentence activated.
If this rapist had not breached his bond by flicking a cigarette at his victim he would not have served any jail time for rape.
I believe in prisoner rehab, but I also believe in the right of citizens to feel safe on the streets and in their homes.
Tom Cooper, Templeogue, Dublin 6w.
My perfume ban
I WAS in a post office the other day to post a Christmas parcel to Europe when I was asked if perfume was included.
I did not know if there was other than there might or might not be, I said. On hearing this, I was told they could not take it. I was told there was no point in sending it because An Post would destroy the parcel if they discovered perfume was contained.
And if they missed the offending item, it would be ‘got’ further along the line on its way to Catalonia.
I came away with my packet unsent under this admonition, with the shrill warning ringing in my soul that the Irish Post Office has now taken it upon themselves to destroy our private property if they see fit.
Be careful out there. Santa might be next for censorship and even destruction of his presents.
Robert Sullivan, Bantry, Co. Cork.
Their own rules
IF THE Revenue Commissioners commence an audit on any business with employees one of their first ports of call is guess what? Travel and subsistence.
Tax law specifically states that payment of non-allowable expenses to employees is tax evasion. This means you can’t pay employees to come to work. Travel and subsistence is only payable when an employee is working away from their normal place of work.
Jump to our pampered selfruling politicians and we have a crazy scheme that isn’t even vouched. Now jump to our grossly overpaid and probably unneeded ministers of state and they can’t afford a hotel to stay in Dublin overnight.
All have drivers employed, so what happened to the practice of going home to their families every evening like all commuters? And don’t tell me it’s too far. How many people commute daily from Waterford, Tipperary, Wexford, Galway?
Paul Cummins, Wexford.
All talk, no action
MICHAEL McGRATH TD, Fianna Fáil finance spokesman, has voiced his concern over the collapse of the Qudos motor Insurance. He is not sure what will happen next with respect to the motorists who now find themselves without cover.
Did Deputy McGrath ever hear of the PMPA, another insurer that went broke overnight many years ago? All compliant motorists are still paying the price of that.
Many more insurance companies have crashed out of business since, and each time the cost is heaped on motorists.
How long more is Deputy McGrath, and his political colleagues going to stand idly by and allow this carry-on? Would Mr McGrath ever wake up to the reality that it is his function to legislate and regulate?
Denis O’Higgins, Monaghan.
A Christmas plea
AS CHRISTMAS approaches can I add my support to those asking people to refrain from buying dogs and cats as gifts from professional breeders? There are several animal charities who have people with four legs in need of a kind home.
Tony Moriarty, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6w.
No offence…
WE MUST be mindful of our expressions. This week it emerged that saying ‘bring home the bacon’ is offensive to vegans.
However, our everyday sayings are never delivered with the intention of offence!
If so, we’ll have to re-examine so many sayings. ‘Now you’re sucking diesel,’ must offend advocates of environmentally friendly fuel sources. What about ‘she’s no spring chicken’? It offends vegans, vegetarians, females, shemales, transgenders , anti-ageists, and animal rights activists.
Our expressions are going to get us all into trouble. We can look forward to the banning of, ‘he wouldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo’, a minefield of potential offence!
Xavier McCullough, Limerick.