Off the hook

A Cork Judge recently released with a suspended sentence a Corkman found in possession of drugs with the sole purpose of sale and supply. He was a drug dealer, caught by the guards.

He had enough drugs to put him over the limit and his crime automatically required a mandatory jail sentence. The judge didn't impose it because he was told by the defence council that the man had "turned his life around".

This is a perfect example of how you can be the greatest scut on the planet up until you are caught, then "plead for forgiveness, a drink problem, beaten as a child, my parents didn't love me, I've turned my life around" and literally walk free.

These judges never take into consideration the lives not turned around, those wrecked by those despicable pieces of dirt who introduced people to Cannabis, cocaine, heroin, crack, crystal meth, death. In that order.

This is not the first time that judges have suspended sentences for serious drug trafficking crimes. In many instances they don't even impose a fine. This is the Ireland of the 21st century.

Were government ministers offer to intervene between warring Limerick families. Literally sitting down with them in their cells. I'd round them all up and throw away the key. This is the same prison system that has the governor of Portlaoise out like a lackey buying LCD and Plasma screens for the country's worst criminals.

"Will I put the TV here Mr Gilligan, sir". It's a sad sick state of affairs when generation after generation of thugs know full well the law is a joke and they are better off on the wrong side of it, it's more profitable and beats working.

The events of last weekend in Blarney should be the final wake-up call for all of those in power, Gardaí, politicians and judges that we need finally to impose zero tolerance on all crime, try them fast, then lock them all up. With freedom comes responsibility. Fail to live up to that responsibility; forfeit your freedom.

A great man?

Hypocrisy is alive and well in Ireland as is evident from the nature of the departure of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

It's been all back slapping and fond reminisces and in typical Irish fashion we swept the harsh truth under the carpet as we raised a glass and sent him on his merry journey.

We're a great nation for doing that sort of thing, it's a bit like when the greatest b*****d in the world dies; we'll find something nice or good to say about him instead of simply saying nothing at all.