Sir, On reading an article in your paper (May 14th) relating to the tragedy which took place at The Point Depot during The Smashing Pumpkins concert, I was amazed at some of the proposals put forward by The National Parents' Council, which were aimed at preventing future tragedies at similar events.
One of these suggested that there should be a total ban on the sale of alcohol at forthcoming events. This proposal, to me, gave the impression that events on the night were caused as a direct result of drink, which is clearly not the case. In fact, one must congratulate The Point Depot staff on their strict policy with regard to the sale of alcohol, which was in place at the recent concert.
In order to be served, one must have had valid identification stating that its holder was 21 years or over no excuses were accepted. I myself tested this policy on numerous occasions throughout the night but fair play to the bar staff, they dug their heels in and refused me every time.
Another proposal put forward by The National Parents' Council, which I believe to be ludicrous, was to introduce a ban on all forms of dangerous dancing such as "crowd surfing" and "moshing". In other words, what they are saying is that a teenage crowd, 8,500 strong and bursting with energy, should just sit and watch motionless as their idols perform on stage. "Moshing" is part and parcel of the current music scene, just as soft drugs were part of the hippie scene in the 1960s and 1970s.
The events on the evening of May 11th, in the words of The Smashing Pumpkins lead singer (Billy Corgan) ". . . this is not the band's fault, this is not your fault, it's just circumstances. Yours, etc., Clonshaugh Dublin 17.