Madam, - Olivia Mitchell TD (September 2nd) refers to "the existing disused tunnel between Heuston and the Docklands area".
In fact only a small part of this rail link between Heuston and Connolly is a tunnel. On leaving Houston, according to an old map, it goes under a small part of the Phoenix Park, re-appears north of the North Circular Road near McKee Barracks, proceeds through Cabra, crosses the Royal Canal near Glasnevin Cemetery, passes through Clonliffe, past Croke Park and so on to Connolly, the Financial Services Centre and the Docklands area.
I recall that Myles na Gopaleen celebrated this rail link with a piece called "A bash in the tunnel". It was in use up to 30 to 40 years ago but we rarely hear it mentioned today, though it has an obvious contribution to make towards alleviating the city's traffic problems. Perhaps we have here a ready-made North Side Luas waiting to be developed at a relatively modest cost. Could someone say what is the present status of this rail link or are there any plans for its re-development? - Yours, etc,
PATRICK FAGAN, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.