Madam, - Tom Ward (October 12) laments that judges live "in a different world from ordinary citizens and victims of crime". I, for one, find it reassuring that a judge can pass a verdict or sentence on a case without being affected by his own personal feelings, or more importantly, by the opinion of the media, especially in such a high profile case.
This impartiality, together with adherence to the law, ensures that everyone is guaranteed a fair and just trial. This is how it should be. - Yours, etc,
DOMHNALL BANKS, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.
Madam, - The accused in a court case is free to keep silent or to give evidence. Should s/he choose to give evidence, there are no restrictions on what s/he may say, however scandalous or untruthful. Nor (other than in family law and sex offence cases) are there normally any restrictions on media reporting of outrageous claims or unfounded allegations made by people before courts (or tribunals).
Mr Justice Carney would deny the same freedom of speech to those who speak on behalf of the victim. It is about time that the Oireachtas legislated to remove the ridiculous imbalance in Irish courts which weighs the scales of justice so heavily in favour of the perpetrator and against the victim and the prosecutor. - Yours, etc,
Ted MOONEY, Fort Portal, Uganda.