Madam, - Spokespersons for Dublin City Council were quick to plead that the building materials in O'Connell Street that were used by rioters last Saturday week to attack gardaí had been fenced off.
But that only raises this question: "Why on earth is this relatively localised work on the north side of O'Connell Street still not finished after about nine months?" - Yours, etc,
JOHN V. O'DONNELL, Iona Park, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
Madam, - The actions of front-line gardaí in protecting innocent bystanders, media people and parade participants from the recent outbreak of mindless thuggery and bigotry cannot be praised enough.
In spite of my desire to stand firm with Government and Garda management, serious questions remain unanswered by the Minister responsible for this State's security, Michael McDowell.
This is a Minister who prides himself on excellent political judgment, a hands-on management style and a "take-no-prisoners" approach to serious issues that cross his desk. For some reason, these skills were not applied on February 25th. Major doubts remain about how Garda intelligence was co-ordinated and presented to those preparing policing arrangements. I am mystified as to why the Minister did not satisfy himself that Garda preparations for Saturday's parade were adequate. He was, after all, planning to meet the organisers of the parade at its conclusion.
Calls for Mr McDowell's resignation are ill-judged. For the remainder of his term of office, however, he should reduce his level of political bombast and use his skills to ensure that public order is maintained on our streets. - Yours, etc,
Cllr NAOISE Ó MUIRI, (Fine Gael), City Hall, Dublin 2.