Madam, - Your Editorial of November 1st advocating the legalising of certain fireworks is misguided. All fireworks are extremely dangerous in the hands of amateurs.
In the UK, where fireworks are sold under licence and safety guidelines are printed on packets, there are hundreds of admissions annually to hospital on Guy Fawkes night due to the misuse of perfectly legal fireworks. You draw a distinction between bangers and other fireworks, implying bangers are more dangerous. Both are equally dangerous; rockets and other items are prone to falling over in wet weather.
There are many seizures of fireworks along the Border annually but it is rare that fireworks are seized en route from abroad. This suggests that the main importers of fireworks are day trippers to Newry and not organised criminals. Garda efforts to stem this tide can only be described as lacklustre and the penalties imposed even more ridiculous.
Legalising fireworks will not stem the injuries or deter the unscrupulous people who do actually import substandard fireworks from abroad. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID BOYD, St Johns Wood, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.