Today’s Irish Sunday Times letters page
Letters from Fr Niall Molloy’s nephews Henry McCourt and Bill Maher in today’s Sunday Times Irish edition.
Previously: Fr Niall Molloy Report: A Conclusion
Sponsored Link
Everything. As It Happens.
This case defies belief. The most stupid person that ever lived can see there’s holes in the case. Yet everytime there is a review it’s “nothing to see here” . It’s a bit of a joke to be honest. You’d swear it took part in 1885 not 1985. Makes this corrupt little country look worse
The case has more holes than a Colander. 1985 is not exactly the middle ages in terms of policing skills and forensic science.
The Gardai did not take statements from important witnesses, there was no records of scientific tests being done on samples taken in the room etc
Editor’s note: Oops I fell over https://youtu.be/CXrBkil7YoM?t=12s
Brenda Power used to present Crimecall BTW, a position that obviously requires a high-level of, clear-headed, pull no punches, objectivity when it comes to how one views the Guardians of Peace, so I’m sure in giving her an opinion column on the matter the editorial staff could be sure, whatever she wrote it would be to a high and objective standard that would require very little editorial oversight.
I feel sorry for them, happens all the time, I once buttered my homework with dog food, much to my horror the dog ate it, I was besides myself for weeks, filled with regret…
She was sacked even from Newstalk – fancy that
i sent an email to The Sunday Times with objections to her article. They said they would publish my letter unedited as I requested. IT WAS EDITED
Could you put the original unedited text of the letter here or on your website so that we can see how they changed the meaning of what you wrote?
For more background information on this case check out
http://www.frniallmolloy.com
Lots of the old newspaper cutting going back to 1985
This is the email I sent to Brenda Power in the Sunday Times.
Dear Brenda,
I have just read over your article on the McGinn report into the death of my late Uncle Fr Niall Molloy. It is obvious from reading the article that you did not read the report.
You wrote “The Molloy affair has also been a victory of sorts since the latest review has not found any reason to criticise the force for the role it played in the investigation “
You are the only person to have reached that conclusion from the report
I suggest you read Pages 100, 101, and 102 of the McGinn Report Under the title “Shortcomings in the 1985 investigation”
Fr Niall did attend the wedding reception in Kilcoursey House as well as the lunch the following day
Please print a correction and do kindly read reports carefully before you publish opinions on them.
Regrads,
Bill Maher
Nephew of Fr Niall Molloy
John Burns replied
I’m wondering if we may also publish your letter in the Sunday Times this weekend?
My reply
John,
We seem to keep meeting like this. I would prefer a proper correction and an apology. However if you see it an an easier way out you can publish my letter unedited. Last time you did this in the way of an apology you edited my letter. I am not prepared to accept that this time.
Regards,
Bill Maher
John Burns responded
I see no reason to edit it. We will publish it exactly as you have written.
I was quite happy with that and naturally expected a paper like the Sunday Times to keep their word.
My letter to the commissioner last week. She still has not answered or explained her statement on the McGinn report.
Dear Commissioner O’Sullivan,
I have read and re read your statement last week following the release of the McGinn Report. I am at a total loss to try and understand it or get any real sense from it.
Can you explain how you think the McGinn report would bring “some comfort to Fr. Molloy’s family” as has been widely reported. ?
Can you explain why at the final briefing with the SCRT we were assured that they were recommending a Commission of Investigation in their report as the only way to establish the facts. Yet there was no reference to that in the McGinn report. Was it airbrushed out ?
I do know for a fact that Christy Mangan’s Secretary was seen typing up on the Molloy file again some months after the final report had been submitted to Mr. Callinan.
Was it returned to Mr Mangan’s office for alterations as has been suggested to me.
My family would also be very anxious to hear your observations on a section of the report titled “ Shortcomings in the 1985 Investigation”. People not questioned, Forensic evidence not properly examined, etc
As for vindicating the work of the review team I am glad you had the foresight to add “Some of the work “. I first made contact with a Detective from the team in Jan 2009 I approached the team with concerns regarding two murders. My Uncle Fr Niall Molloy in 1982 and a close friend Charles Self in 1972.
my family was unimpressed by their work right from the start. In my Uncle’s case they tried to fob me off quite early on by laying the blame solely on Judge Roe.
No mention at any stage of an incompetent Garda Investigation in 1985 which seems to be the conclusion in McGinn report. In fact their whole approach was casual, not very professional and it was it was pressure from that Dail made them go back and interview people for a second time and take statements on their second visit. A waste of time and resources..I am sure you will agree.