Sir, - Your obituary of the late Commissioner Patrick Malone (The Irish Times, February 3rd) states that he had to resist political interference by Government in the running of the force. You emphasise the point by the caption under his photograph: "came under immense political pressure". Your statement follows directly a reference to that part of his tenure in office between 1973 and 1975. I was Minister for Justice during that time.
These are serious allegations because of their heavy innuendo of improper Government conduct toward the Commissioner and his force. I reject categorically that there was any impropriety in my dealings on behalf of the Government with the Guards. The relationship between the Government and the force was exclusively exercised by me through my Department and at all times in accordance with the political and administrative modalities governing that relationship.
The absence of exemplary facts to support your statement is noteworthy. - Yours, etc.,
Patrick Cooney, Garnafailagh, Athlone, Co Westmeath.