Madam, - In response to Vincent Wood and Bébhinn Nic Liam (Nov 14th) and Declan Bree (Nov 15th) may I as a north Mayo resident who has lived and worked in the Belmullet/Glenamoy areas for a long time say that I back the gardaí and the rule of law in the area.
What happened last Friday when many people were bussed in was a disgrace.
People were stopped from going to work , and despite many requests by gardaí the road was not cleared.
And they call it a peaceful protest!
What was then to happen - give victory to the "agóidí" or do as the gardaí did with minimum force, given the numbers involved on both sides?
This was not a "wading in" operation by the gardaí as we might see elsewhere, but was more of a push back to clear the road.
If those people are concerned to see the gardaí deployed elsewhere let them protest in peace!
Over the past two days the media have reported that despite protests there was no interruption of workers, surely proof if it were needed that the imports were the chief cause of the trouble.
There is another day of action planned for November 24th.
Will the same happen, and can the organisers guarantee it won't?
As regards looking for a public inquiry into the planning process of the project as a "way forward", I say this is preposterous.
We might as well look for an inquiry into the granting of permission to Central Bank, Wood Quay or whatever.
I would commend to all concerned Paddy Clancy's review of Ann McElhinney's and Phelim McAleer's film, Mine Your Own Business (Irish Times, Nov 1st). - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN CAFFERTY, Ballina, Mayo.