Madam, - The National Youth Federation is happy to promote the type of rational and informed debate we have seen recently on your letters pages in relation to Asbos.
However, John Kenny's labelling of groups such as ours, which work around the country with thousands of young people week in week out, as "whingers" (June 9th) is only too typical of the level of intolerance shown by the supporters of Asbos.
Far from us being "soft on crime", projects run by our members all around the country actively contribute to reducing crime. In this debate we know what we are talking about based on practical experience.
Mr Kenny is also factually incorrect to state Asbos will not discriminate between young and old as the Minster has emphatically announced differently.
The criminalisation of young people is achieved by a legal slight of hand which allows a civil standard of proof to give rise to a criminal sanction. This is a highly questionable methodology.
Before the debate goes any further the Minister should publish any legal advice he has received on the introduction of Asbos and state how they conform with our own Constitution, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention of Human Rights. - Yours, etc,
DIARMUID KEARNEY, Chief Executive, National Youth Federation, Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1.
Madam, - A photograph in Monday's paper of the anti-Asbos rally in Dublin showed a very prominent Sinn Féin banner on display.
Should we be surprised that they are against anti-social behaviour orders when you consider some of the viciously anti-social behaviour Sinn Féin/IRA get involved with? The offer to shoot the murderers of Robert McCartney, the Northern Bank raid, regular punishment beatings, stealing the election posters of opposing candidates, etc, etc.
The USI should be very careful about the company it keeps. For God's sake, don't let Sinn Féin hijack this important issue. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KELLY, Dunmore East, Co Waterford.