Sir, - The truly horrific attack on two elderly brothers in their home in Co Meath, one of whom died as a result, has shocked and appalled the whole country. The reports of this terrible attack on these two inoffensive men are truly heartbreaking. It is difficult to find words to describe one's sense of anger and revulsion. Indeed, one wonders just what has become of this country.
As your Editorial of June 7th points out, the number of people who have died so far in violent circumstances in the State this year alone is 28. Since the beginning of 1998, a total of 14 vulnerable and elderly people have been killed in their own homes. According to Victim Support, the voluntary group which runs an alert service for elderly vulnerable people, there were as many as 1,400 elderly victims of crime here last year. This is utterly outrageous and appalling.
Over the past few months, there have been numerous phone calls to radio chat shows describing vicious, unprovoked assaults on innocent people as they walked along the street. These attacks seem to come out of the blue, as it were, and are not the result of rows or brawls. One incident involved a young man who was standing chatting to his girlfriend on the footpath when a guy passing by struck him in the face. There have been numerous attacks of this kind. What exactly is going on here? Is it drugs? What could possibly explain it?
One thing is certain: nothing can excuse it! One has only to visit the centre of Dublin late at night to observe the most disgusting, emetic thuggery and loutish behaviour. Dublin city at night (and, indeed, many other parts of this country) has become a most intimidating and unpleasant place to be. What has become of the Government's policy of "zero tolerance"?
It is surely time for the Garda and the courts to get tough. There should be no suspended sentences for violent crimes against defenceless people. Let the sentences reflect the seriousness of these dreadful crimes. We must also ensure that our old are safe and protected in their homes. Let there be a truly serious effort to return the streets of our cities, and, indeed, the roads of our countryside, to decent people to go about their daily business without fear of vicious and violent assault. - Yours, etc.
Anthony Redmond, North Great George's Street, Dublin 1.
