Sir, – The Golfgate court decision was not a surprise. Covid regulations were not broken. But a number of prominent people in Irish life lost their reputations and livelihoods in the days following the golf event. I suggest that Harry McGee is wrong in his analysis in The Irish Times ("Judgment has brought 18-month saga to a conclusion", February 4th) where he referred to "the public mood", and that "the public was understandably angry"at the apparent breach of Covid regulations at the time.
I suggest that it was the mood created by the media itself which created the furore. The media at the time wanted heads to roll to such an extent that that both Taoiseach and Tánaiste were forced (foolishly) to denounce the event,and decent people fell. The media has a case to answer. An apology would be a reasonable start. – Yours, etc,
FRANK WALSH,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – While I have little tolerance for Boris Johnson’s duplicity and remote acquaintance with the truth at times, I cannot help thinking that as he read the morning newspaper and spotted the seemingly inconsequential headline on its inner pages, “Golfgate four cleared of all wrongdoing”, surely a faint quizzical smile must have formed on his lips. – Yours, etc,
JOHN HUGGARD,
Coolaney,
Co Sligo.
Sir, – District Justice Mary Fahy has decided that those charged with breach of the Covid 19 regulations by having a very big party at the Clifden House Hotel had committed no offence so she dismissed the case. I think many people who isolated and obeyed the rules will be outraged at this decision. The DPP had decided that there was sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. The DPP must now appeal this decision. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GREENE,
Spiddal,
Co Galway.
Sir, – It is most reassuring that our Oireachtas Golf Society persons broke no law while they demonstrated their contempt for the challenges faced by mere mortals trying to live their lives under exceptional restrictive Covid restrictions, including attendance at funerals and weddings.
Well done to all concerned on demonstrating that they can ignore the standards expected of ordinary citizens while remaining within the law. – Yours, etc,
BILLY HANNIGAN,
Dublin 12.
Sir,– Will the Golfgate verdict pave the way for the reforming of the Oireachtas Golf Society? – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – If we learned one thing from the Golfgate farce, it is that we have a long way to go before we get rid of partition in this country. – Yours, etc,
LOUIS HOGAN,
Wicklow.