Sir, - The reputation of The Irish Times as a quality newspaper was not enhanced by the two-page spread (March 15th) demonising the memory of the late Fr Fortune before the man was even cold in his grave.
Unproven allegations of sexual abuse coupled with rumours of financial sleaze resulted in a piece of character assassination almost worthy of the worst excesses of the tabloid press.
This unedifying spectacle is not new. When it comes to the media's treatment of alleged sex offenders rationality goes out the window. Hysterical terms like "monsters", "fiends" and "beasts" are used to describe fellow human beings who are afflicted with a psychiatric condition that needs treatment, not condemnation.
The media panders to a society that is hysterical and fearful. The law reflects this hysteria by sentencing offenders to lengthy prison terms although experts in the field of psychology tell us that offenders need treatment, not punishment.
Sex offenders are the only category of prisoner in the State who do not qualify for early release. They receive very little medical treatment and now there are suggestions that they should be "tagged" to monitor their whereabouts after they have served their sentences. A debate on society's hysterical attitude to this problem is long overdue. The "throw away the key" mentality that informs much of our thinking is not good enough.
Does the old Latin proverb not still hold sway in D'Olier Street: De mortuis nisi nihil bonum - of the dead speak only good? - Yours, etc., Martin Madden,
Tonlegee Road, Dublin 5.