Sir, –Niall Gillespie's criticism of an Garda Síochána for doing their job (November 18th) is unwarranted. The issue of begging, drug abuse and alcohol consumption in the public domain is a problem pedestrians have to face at all hours in Dublin city centre. Many of them are intimidated, particularly at ATMs.
While this is not unique to our wonderful capital, I have just returned from short visits to Melbourne and Sydney, Australia where I enjoyed the cafe culture, spotless streets and boardwalks. The contrast between this and O’Connell Street and the Liffey boardwalks could not be starker.
The answer to the problem lies with politicians who need to provide the legislation to allow the Garda to get tough with this antisocial behaviour and manage this growing problem. – Yours, etc,
IAN DUFFY,
Ballygoran View,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.