St Patrick's Day disorder

Madam, - Ms Maire Moynihan, CEO of the Dublin St Patrick's Festival, claims the culture of the day is changing and that "the …

Madam, - Ms Maire Moynihan, CEO of the Dublin St Patrick's Festival, claims the culture of the day is changing and that "the idea of the festival was to give people an alternative to spending the national holiday in the pub" (The Irish Times, March 19th).

At the end of our annual alcohol week, I beg to differ. Having witnessed widespread, drink-fuelled aggressive and intimidating behaviour throughout the festival, I can only assume that the Public Order Bill was rescinded for the week.

Even ignoring the street drinking and crime, which I experienced personally, what sort of an image are we showcasing to the thousands of visitors we host during the festival and to the wider world? When will we realise that we have a serious social problem which needs to be addressed? - Yours, etc.,

JARLATH MOLLOY, Dowth, Co Meath.