Tuesday 8th November 2011

Yesterday three Gardai were convicted at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court in relation to an assault on a civilian. Two of the gardai, who are no longer in the force, were given custodial sentences of 3 years (18 months suspended) and 2 years (12 months suspended). Brendan Cafferty is a retired Garda. He feels that the sentence was disproportionate to the crime. He says that the job they have to do is difficult. They have lost their careers and have suffered enough. Michael thinks their job is almost impossible. Gerry thinks that it was a good day for justice and the sentence was justified. Our Liveline listeners give their views on the sentence.

Last night RTE screened a programme called “Crisis - Inside the Cowen Government”. Padraig thought the programme was a hatchet job on Brian Cowen. Margaret agrees, and she’s never voted Fianna Fail in her life. These people served with him. They were prepared to take cabinet positions. She could not believe how Mary Hanafin seemed to get pleasure in slating him. Was Brian Cowen made a scapegoat by his former cabinet colleagues? The Liveline listeners discuss.

Jacqueline lives in Leixlip, Ryan, and Margaret live in Enfield. All their homes are affected by pyrite. All their homes were built by Paddy Mooney. He is refusing to repair their homes, but is repairing his own, as we heard on the show yestereday. They are not taking this lying down. They are going to march on his house. They tell Joe their story.