Called to heel

Sir, – As one who daily cleans litter and fouling from a local public park, this writer is in a good position to assess the …

Sir, – As one who daily cleans litter and fouling from a local public park, this writer is in a good position to assess the behaviour and attitudes of the general public.

Indeed Hibernia in duo partes divisa estbetween those who have a concern for others and those who regrettably have never given such matters a thought.

Both categories exist within all classes of persons regardless of income or gender with possibly a larger proportion of blame pertaining to those who should know better.

This is behaviour that should not only be inculcated at school but practised within the family. You cannot blame youngsters for acting as their parents might, or dogs who might well foul anywhere whether on a lead or not: their owners should always carry a waste bag with them wherever they go.

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However, provision of more waste bins and regular collection to prevent filthy overflowing bins, which are the responsibility of local authorities, together with an action programme of local civic awareness would certainly do no harm. In short, locally we must clean up our own act. – Yours, etc,

LOUIS SMYTH,

Crosthwaite Park,

Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.