in the uk dodgy politicians go to jail

raymon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13599624

I blame the dpp and gardai for their laziness in lack of investigating and prosecuting white collar crime , especially where politicians are involved

Denerick

I blame the citizens for continuously re-elected politicians who are obviously guilty of corruption and general institutional beggary. Britain has a stronger civic culture, they actually dump MPs if they do something awful. We just chuckle and say 'MY FATHER VOTED FOR FF/FG, SO YOU BETTER VOTE FOR THEM OR I'LL DISOWN YOU'.

That said, the latest election did show the beginning of the end for this kind of parochial parish pump politics. I hope. But then again the large number of independents elected would indicate that most voters still like sending the local gombeen to the Dáil.

thebman

There seems to be a general unwillingness or disincentive for the police in Ireland to investigate criminals.

Remember when a member of FG about to drink drive was stopped by a police woman and was threatened with losing her job when they got in power...

Tells you everything you need to know IMO.

Irish politicians have made sure they are in control of everything that could tarnish their reputation including a state broadcaster.

Essexboy

Even when they are sent to jail they are elected eg Michael Clarke who to quote Fintan O'Toole " is a scam-merchant, a conman, a fraudster."

Clarke was given 2 years for fraud then headed the 2009 county council poll in West Sligo.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2002/0312/fraud.html

Coillte_Bhoy

Another one who topped the poll aftre being convicted

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0531/fahym.html

Liam Byrne

thebman wrote: »

There seems to be a general unwillingness or disincentive for the police in Ireland to investigate criminals.

Remember when a member of FG about to drink drive was stopped by a police woman and was threatened with losing her job when they got in power...

Tells you everything you need to know IMO.

Irish politicians have made sure they are in control of everything that could tarnish their reputation including a state broadcaster.

No, but I remember when the people who had no objection to Haughey, Ahern, Lowry, Cooper-Flynn and Callely tried to spin an "ignore his drunken ramblings" as this.

But back to the OP's point - yes, much of Ireland does seem to stupidly reward con-men and forget that they have their hands in our pockets.

Burke & Lawlor - again, both FF - are the only two that I can remember being arrested and jailed, and that's not good enough.

But when their party reinstates perjurors and a portion of the electorate inexplicably still vote for them, what can we do ? An ethical standards test at the polling booth for potential voters?

juuge

Let's not forget who appoints judges and senior gardai!