Sir, - Last week your paper reported the tragic death of a member of the travelling community. It was stated that the incident which led to the death happened in Neilstown. The site where the sad event took place is two miles from Neilstown. The area is known as Wheatfield.
It has become the practice in recent years to use the name Neilstown when reporting any incident where violence or destruction are involved anywhere between Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Lucan.
Neilstown is a part of the larger area of Ronanstown. There are just five roads in Neilstown. We have had our problems here but our worst days were in the 1980s. It just seems that when reporting any bad news story, reporters use the name Neilstown without finding out the correct address.
On the other hand, on Saturday, May 17th, Neilstown hosted a rugby league festival for under boys and girls. We had eight schools from northern England, places like Oldham, Bradford and Dewsbury and eight schools from Ireland, places like Balgaddy, Ballycragh and Neilstown taking part. There were 90 children and 270 adults from England. The whole day was just great.
There was no vandalism, no fighting, no hooliganism and as a result no reporting of the event. The local paper The Echo, was the only one to send a photographer; it is going to run a story on the whole day and the growth of this sport, new to Ireland.
That was one of many positive things happening in Neilstown which never make the headlines. A stolen car crashes on the Fonthill Road and the word Neilstown is on every front page, even though that road is not even near Neilstown.
Could I ask reporters to be a little more balanced and informed when reporting incidents in the north Clondalkin area. My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life so tragically. - Yours, etc.,
St Peter Apostle Senior
National School,
Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.