Sir, – Three Garda cars, two fire engines and three ambulances; bloodied faces, shouting voices, whaling sirens and an atmosphere that would be uncomfortable in the most turbulent parts of the Middle East. This was my welcome to the usual paradise of the Forty Foot bathing place on Thursday evening.
Paddy Power would not give odds on this event as it can be predicted in parallel with the sunshine. I therefore ask, why do the gardaí not foresee and prevent this annual disgrace, instead of arriving after the incident and declaring it a crime scene? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Twice in the past week there have been alcohol- and drug- driven fights in high-profile areas of Dublin, one on Henry Street (Home News, May 24th) and the other at the Forty Foot bathing place (Breaking News, May 25th).
At one battle, tourists had to run for cover while drunks and junkies fought out bloody battles. In this age of mass communication surely the images being sent around the globe on YouTube, etc, paint a dreadful picture of Dublin.
The north inner city centre, particularly Talbot Street, North Earl Street and Marlborough Street, which is home to the Abbey Theatre, is rife with open drug-selling and drug-taking. The amount of users wandering around out of their heads or looking to score is unbelievable and they are getting younger. Surely something must be done to stop this epidemic which is getting worse by the day. Perhaps when the last tourist has been scared away or when ordinary citizens are afraid to walk the streets action will be taken. It may be too late then. – Yours, etc,