Letter To Wavel Ramklawan From Chief Justice Mathilda Twomey
Dear Wavel,
Judges do not comment- normally. I see the events of the past few days not as an attack on me but on the judiciary and hence my comments below. Please study them, speak to your supporters and stop unleashing hatred and violence on the judiciary.
I have had to move out of my home at Bel Eau. After JF's and your personal attack and character assassination of me and the showing of my home on the video you posted, some of your party supporters took the liberty to come to my house to abuse me. I am single as you know and live alone. I have been given extra security but that is not how I wish to live. I hope to move back next week. Please give me the guarantee that I can do so.
In 2011 I moved out of La Misere after the PDM judgment ( which ironically your Counsel stated in court the other day was correctly decided). Then too the intimidation was intense.
I have noted the vile and denigrating comments about me. You, Wavel, went to school with me and sat a few tables away from me in Six Lower. You are a man of the cloth and I respected you as such.
As for JF, I have never done him any harm only shown as much generosity and kindness to his family members when they stayed in my humble home in Ireland.
I left Seychelles in 1995 after much intimidation and also after a bullet was taped in an envelope to my office door. So you see I am used to intimidation and threats and from all political sides and also fanatics.
I have no skeletons in my cupboard and share the following events without shame.
When I left Seychelles, I brought nothing apart for my children with me to Ireland. There was no possibility of bringing my hard earned savings as there was a foreign exchange crisis. My husband worked during the day and I waitressed at night. I read and studied and looked after my babies during the day. I enquired about practising law and discovered that my English bar qualifications would not permit me to work in Ireland. I would have to sit the Irish property law exam and learn to speak Irish.
I obtained a job instead, first with the Citizens Information Centre in Galway and then with an Irish disability organisation. My legal skills were rewarded and I became the Regional Manager. I worked tirelessly for the rights of disabled people.
I eventually sold my home in Glacis to Adam Moosa's son. With the money we built a home in Kinvara, County Galway.
My children grew up. I paid for my own Masters and then got a grant from the Irish Research Council for a PhD. I lectured at the University of Ireland, Galway.
When I left those jobs to come and work to Seychelles I took a salary cut.
My marriage broke up. My family decided to stay in Ireland. All that hurt and still hurts.
I was never on the dole as you or JF claim. Nor was I 'naked' as you allege. I did not sleep my way to the top as it has also been alleged.
My parents, schoolteachers who taught you both, instilled in me a work ethic and love and respect for others. I sat a few tables away from you in school. You both really know me. I work hard and do everything by the book. My life is an open book. Your insinuations and character assassination are worse because of what you both really know.
My salary is statutorily provided for. After taxes I receive about fifty five thousand rupees in my hand. During the three months I sit on the Court of Appeal I also get paid as do other Supreme Court judges who are occasionally asked to make up the panel.
I bought a piece of land not far from my 90 year old mother at La Misere so that I can be close to her and care for her. I obtained a mortgage of 2 million from Nouvobanq to build the house. The terrain is challenging and I am still attempting to build the road.
I have a keen interest in the environment and love nature. I had a large garden in Ireland. I had 2 polytunnels. I kept bees. I had ducks and chickens.
I and three other women campaigned for a Farmers Market in Kinvara where I lived. We eventually got permission to set one up. I was lecturing at the time but on Fridays when I was not working I ran a stall. It was the highlight of my week. I still miss it but am so proud of what I did. JF's contemptible remarks on this issue is therefore almost funny.
I love markets and still go down early on Saturday to buy my fish and vegetables in Victoria.
I did not write a judgment. The Constitutional Court comprising of myself and 2 judges seconded from the Commonwealth ( not paid by Michel or looking for citizenship as has been alleged) wrote 2 unanimous judgments based on the evidence brought to the court. We don't make the law. We apply the law and do so without fear, favour or ill will even when it involves ones friends.
We welcome criticism and academic discussion about our judgment. If you disagree with our findings on the facts and law as interpreted you are free to appeal it.
Attacking me personally and getting your crowds to repeat and chant contemptible remarks about me is to say the least irresponsible. Someone spat on me yesterday. Tomorrow it might be worse.
'However', ( a word you take great exception to) I shall not be intimidated. I shall continue driving myself, shopping for myself and going for walks with my dog. Above all I shall continue to work for the country I love so dearly.
Please do so too, peacefully.
With much love,
Mathilda.