Old age is not a barrier to mind enrichment as these new experiences will show. One of my relatives required my company to bolster her courage. She had to appear before the Commissioner of Justice. She had had a brush with the law.

I felt like Sir Galahad, the Knight in King Arthur’s Court, saving a damsel in distress. The commissioner, a young lady ho was elegantly though not ostentatiously dressed, was punctual. We were not kept waiting.

My relative took the oath, kissed the crucifix (or was it a Book?) and admitted the truth of the charge. I realised that her guilt was just a misdemeanour. Raising my hand, I was determined to put up some defence.

Graciously, the lady granted my wish. I realised that the policeman was absent and I said so. The commissioner made a sign to her assistant. This lawyer brought out an affidavit, which she read and handed to me.

The commissioner explained that if I insisted on having the policeman present, she would put off the case to another date. I saw no reason to agree.

The commissioner pronounced sentence.

I was shocked. My relative’s downcast eyes brimmed with tears. I said: “Surely the girl, being only 17, still a student and a first-time offender, deserves a deterrent not a punishment. Perhaps she should be condemned to community service.”

Very politely, the commissioner agreed with me but said: “I have my hands tied. It is the law.” I nearly blurted out Dr Johnson’s words: “The law is an ass.” But, fearing a reprisal, I kept my mouth shut.

Then, I ventured another excuse. I admired the patient disposition of the Bench and said so. But the compliment rubbed off her without a word.

I then pleaded that students have no means to pay such a big sum of money.

Addressing my relative, I said that I am not a money lender. I had hoped that the commissioner would be lenient.

The commissioner intervened and said: “You will appear before me again in February. If you have not saved enough money by then, I shall allow another period of six months.”

My relative bowed her head in resignation. I saw in this commissioner a Jewish replica of Shakespeare’s Shylock demanding his pound of flesh.

Several young men waited to answer for the same ‘crime’ and a fine of €232 each. That was a Draconian law in modern garb. I realised then that the ministry must have an urgent obsession with making money and not educating young offenders smoking a cigarette in a Paceville bar.