Sir, I sincerely wish that the Council for Civil Liberties and fellow travellers would start campaigning for the civil liberties and rights of the vast majority of the people in this country who are living in fear due to the activities of the criminal fraternity. The forthcoming referendum on the bail laws will give a golden opportunity to the electorate to help in bringing about change that is long overdue. We have suffered enough. It is time to tilt the balance back in favour of the law abiding people in our society.
We must provide the forces of, law and order in this State with the powers, now required by, them, to deal effectively with those involved in crime. I have said time and time again that crime, particularly drug related crime, poses as big, if not bigger, a threat to our society than paramilitaries and must be tackled on that basis.
People should not be fooled or taken in by the statements issued by those who oppose the proposed amendment. Those of us who live in the real world, in communities under constant threat and siege because of crime, cannot afford to let this opportunity pass. We can influence change in the bail laws, where such change is long overdue.
If you do not vote, then you are suggesting that you are satisfied with the present position. Let us support the amendment, and thereby take the first step in returning our country to relative normality. Yours, etc.,
Glenfield Close,
Rowlagh,
Dublin 22.