Sir, – Justine McCarthy suggests Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel should be considered once again for use as a civilian airport (“Dublin Airport will reach breaking point. It’s time to revisit the case for Baldonnel”, Opinion, February 13th). The objections listed against such a proposal were that Dublin was not large enough to warrant a second airport and environmental concerns over encouraging more air travel.
Baldonnel is our sole military airbase hosting not only the Irish Air Corps but also the Garda Air Support Unit. It holds a similar sentiment to the proposal to sell Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines to be developed into housing. Perhaps having a second airport would be more valuable than having a secure airbase for foreign dignitaries to land, or maybe more housing in south Dublin is more useful than having the Army bomb squad based in the city.
The fact that such security concerns are not even mentioned that shows how low defence and security fall in Irish priorities. Is it any wonder the Defence Forces struggle for recruitment and funding when the Irish public doesn’t know or care why they’re even there? – Yours, etc,
DÓNAL O’BYRNE,
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Bettystown,
Co Meath.
