A chara, - Dr Bill Tormey (June 26th) asks some valid questions about the Garda response to anti-social behaviour in Finglas. He is quite wrong, however, to claim that "the perception that the Provos would act as a proxy police force" was a crucial factor in Sinn Fein's electoral success. How does this explain the significant increase in Sinn Fein support all over Ireland, giving us about 10 per cent of the national vote?
Dr Tormey is unable to present a single example of "paramilitary beatings and threats" in Finglas for a very good reason: there weren't any, despite physical attacks by thugs on Sinn Fein supporters and myself (against which we successfully defended ourselves). What was a factor in our success was our active role in empowering the decent people of Finglas to stand up to the small minority of thugs and gangsters. This was achieved by the simple (but time-consuming) method of helping residents to organise public meetings (to which Dr Tormey and other election candidates, as well as gardai and other agencies were invited) and subsequently assisting and actively participating in resident's committees which were set up at the meetings.
The work done by Sinn Fein and the residents' committees is often hard and unglamorous and typically includes activating a phone tree when an incident occurs so that neighbours and police are alerted (when several calls go in to the Garda, there is more chance of a response) and going through Corporation letting lists to ensure that known drug-dealers are kept away from our children. I have spent many late nights persuading residents to go to the police when their windows or cars were smashed and personally driving them to the station to press charges.
Sinn Fein has no desire to become an alternative police force. We simply want gardai to do the job for which they are well paid (and for which we are not!). If they were to do so (and since my election, policing has improved in Finglas), it would leave Sinn Fein with more time to devote to the issue of lack of equality in our society, which is a fundamental cause of drug abuse and antisocial behaviour.
In the short term here in Finglas we are campaigning with local groups for a leisure centre with creche and cafeteria, clubhouses and changing rooms for local soccer teams, bike and stock-car tracks and stables for the Horse and Pony Project. In this era of budget surpluses, it would be a crime to deny these badly needed facilities, which would give our young people the opportunity to channel their energies into constructive activities.
Finally, I would suggest to Dr Tormey that, rather than "shudder" at Sinn Fein's progress, he should support those many courageous Finglas residents who are standing up to the bullies and who are putting much time and effort into providing facilities for our young people. - Is mise,
Cllr Dessie Ellis, Dunsink Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.