Sir, - I heartily agree with Mairin de Burca (January 27th) about the appalling spectacle of traveller children, many mere toddlers, being put out on our streets in all weathers, and until late at night, to beg for money by their parents. She calls it cruelty to children and deplores the obvious tolerance of ordinary people to this carry on.
But this more than child neglect or cruelty. It is in fact abuse. People are universally and correctly appalled by child abuse. So why do they tolerate such a blatant form of that evil?
Applying this more emotive, but entirely appropriate label, should I hope lead to some more positive action by the relevant authorities. I believe it is time for the Garda to crack down vigorously and continuously on such child abuse by removing all these misfortunate children to the local Garda station, and looking after them there until their parents came to realise there was no longer any monetary gain in abandoning them on the streets. - Yours, etc.
Burrow Road,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.