VIOLENCE ON THE STREETS

EDWARD D. RAFFERTY,

EDWARD D. RAFFERTY,

Sir, - I was shocked but not surprised when I read the article "Nothing stolen but our sense of security" (Features, April 23rd). Apparently we have a society where personal responsibility and respect for others seem at best an inconvenience, and laws and restrictions are perceived merely as obstacles to be hurdled in the pursuit of self-pleasure.

Just like stags in the rutting season, modern day Lotharios vie for territory and peer attention by butting heads and attempting to achieve physical dominance in a testosterone and alcohol-driven frenzy.

Unless our legal system hardens its stance on street hooliganism and is prepared to employ draconian measures to corral the offenders and ensure the safety of the general public, I fear more and more neighbourhoods in Irish cities will begin to resemble the streets of Pamplona during the running of the bulls. - Yours, etc.,

READ MORE

EDWARD D. RAFFERTY,

Grattan Terrace,

Grogan's Road,

Wexford.