Columnist strikes a blow for Irish human rights

THREE cheers for Hermann Kelly for his column on the Residential Institutions Redress Board (August 21). It is about time someone had the courage to say it. One cannot hand out a bagful of money (average payout €76,000), ask for little or no proof of any harm and not expect some people who live in the land of army deafness and false insurance claims not to dip their arm in. Mr Kelly has done a great good for Irish human rights by highlighting in his book, Kathy's Real Story, which I have also read, the injustice of innocent people being falsely accused of abuse. It is simply wrong that a complainant's allegations can be proven completely untrue in a criminal court and then the same person can make the same allegation to the Redress Board and get a big payout. This has cost the State €1.1billion and some good people their reputations. That is too high a cost.

 Mark McCrystal

 22 Seven Oaks Swords

 Road Dublin 9