Sir, – In his column “Don’t glamorise vandalism by calling graffiti art” (Opinion & Analysis, August 30th), Michael McDowell displayed an uncharacteristically defeatist streak when he states: “Property owners and lessees know that cleaning away graffiti is both costly and futile”. Cleaning may be costly, depending on the nature of the graffiti and the substrate it is applied to, but certainly not futile if graffiti-prevention coating is applied to the newly clean surface. Easily applied long-lasting invisible protective coatings costing less than €2.50 per square metre are available on the Irish market, allowing subsequent graffiti to be simply removed with a rag and soapy water. With information and advice readily available on the internet, I have long wondered why so many high-profile properties are not protected. – Yours, etc,
LIAM STENSON,
Galway.