A chara, – I wish to respond to the letter supporting a smacking ban (Pat Hennessy, January 3rd). The State should have no business interfering in the small day-to-day events of family life. The proposed ban would, like most petty State intrusions, merely punish ordinary people, while those who wish to really harm their own or other people’s children will continue their behaviour regardless. Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and the interfering busybodies waiting to report such “abuse”: hands off our children! – Is mise,