Sir, - I agree with the views expressed by Mr McCartan in his letter of July 26th. The essence of, all tenure is performance, and certainly Fianna Fail underperformed in the important area of law and order.
Their seven year tenure in office (1987-1994) appeared like the age of Nero, where inactivity was tantamount to wisdom. Their behaviour in the Dail debate on July 25th was reprehensible.
I am personally in favour of harsh and punitive measures to, deal with serious criminals. However in the justifiable anxiety to face down the criminals, I hope the Government strikes a balance between precipitancy and caution. They might bear in mind what the classicist Horace had to say:
He that knows not to moderate sudden wrath, shall wish undone
That which his will and resentment urge,
And with impatient violence draws on his own sure punishment,
And yet his hate be unrevenged. Yours, etc.,
Grosvenor Place,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.