Madam, - The fact that O'Connell Street, Dublin is the most dangerous street in the country (1,591 offences in 26 months) is not only a slur on our capital city, but reflects a lack of priorities in policing. Many main thoroughfares in cities across Europe - e.g. London, Paris, Madrid - are relatively safe for pedestrians day and night because of the constant presence of police officers.
As a result of what is happening in our streets - a minority of drunken youths defiling footpaths, picking fights with innocent people and generally acting like morons - Ireland is rapidly developing a bad image for holidaymakers at a time when tourism is never more needed to boost our economy.
What is the Government doing about this state of affairs? Our elected representatives are taking few positive steps. May I suggest pegging back the pub closing hours to midnight and enforcing same, increasing the number of officers on the streets and raising the drinking age limit?
The identity card system is a disaster, as it sets the age limit too low. Eighteen-year-olds can virtually demand drink in public houses and off-licences at present, simply by producing their police-signed ID cards. Prior to this, drink outlets used their discretion; many public houses displayed signs such as "Over-21s only" which gave managers the option of refusing teenagers.
The age debate is only one aspect of the alcohol-related problem on our streets. For many reasons, not least the decline in respect for human life, society seems on a downward spiral. One wonders if this trend can be halted and if our law- makers and Government Ministers are brave enough to take appropriate action in the interests of security and a better future for the Irish people - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL WALSH, Maywood Park, Dublin 5.