Madam, - Unfortunately, the main problems raised in your Editorial of October 28th came to pass on Halloween night. Young and old people broke the law with abandon. Dublin sounded like a war zone. Elderly people were afraid to leave their homes and domestic pets suffered greatly.
Huge bonfires were constructed, some as high as two-storey houses, with no regard to public safety. Many adults added to these bonfires by shamelessly emptying car-loads of household refuse. Local authorities must now clean up after this night of so-called fun.
While I welcomed the provisions of the 2006 Criminal Justice Act which increased the penalties for illegal use of fireworks, I lament its feeble implementation.
However this is not just the fault of the Garda and local authorities. Parents must help enforce the law. Parents who allow their children to set off illegal fireworks and stay out late to attend dangerous bonfires are culpable too. - Yours, etc,
Cllr MARY MITCHELL O'CONNOR (PD), Cabinteely, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The continual sound of explosions for much of Tuesday evening showed the ineffectiveness of the current laws on fireworks - but more importantly, it showed that a large number of people feel that the use of fireworks should be legal.
Might I suggest that the Government mirror the current legislation in Northern Ireland? There, fireworks may be bought legally with a £30 license, which no doubt helps the authorities balance their respective budgets. - Yours, etc,
RICHARD BANNISTER, Pembroke Square, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Madam, - Has anyone in the Department of Education thought that there might be less damage done to our public parks and less fear and harm caused to small children and animals if the autumn mid-term break did not coincide with Halloween? I only ask. - Yours, etc,
MÁIRÍN DE BURCA, Marino, Dublin 3.
Madam, - When supervising a group of excited children on a "Trick or Treat" expedition on Halloween night, I was very surprised to find many houses with a bucket of sweets carefully placed on the doorstep accompanied by a "Help Yourself" note.
Yet another symbol of the new Ireland? - Yours, etc,
PATRICIA MORGAN, Beechwood Park, Carlow.