Sir, - Esat Digifone wishes to install a mast at the Garda station in Maam Valley, Co Galway. Because the mast will overshadow the primary school, locals are opposed to its installation, fearing a threat to the children's health. Some weeks ago a picket placed on the site was withdrawn on the assurance that work would not proceed while further negotiations and consultation with the company, local politicians and the Minister for Justice took place.
At 7 a.m. last Monday morning the mast and a crane and other equipment arrived at the site accompanied by about 40 gardai. The timing was no doubt planned to coincide with the football final.
Two questions arise: would so many gardai arrive to forcibly remove a few local protesters if the force was not involved in a commercial deal with Esat? And is this an acceptable way to do things in a democracy such as ours? - Yours, etc., Frank Conroy,
Curr, Maam, Co Galway.