AIDAN D. COLLINS
Sir, - It is a sad irony that it takes the tragic deaths of two gardaí to focus the attention of our politicians to the issues surrounding the punishment of young people engaged in such crimes.
It is evident that such offenders are comfortable in the knowledge that, even if caught, their punishment will be minimal. What respect do we expect them to have for small fines, endorsements on licences which they never hold or even disqualification from driving? What fear does the prospect of imprisonment hold for them?
The answer is obvious.
Unless and until the general public is prepared for the inconvenience of having sufficient penal institutions constructed, even near where they live; unless gardaí are fully and properly equipped and unless and until the law is updated to raise such crimes to the same level as in the US, for instance, where the "unauthorised taking" (as so-called "joy-riding" is described in our legislation) of a car is a felony as opposed to a misdemeanour, with appropriately increased penalties, we cannot expect any improvement in this situation.
How many gardaí and/or members of the public will have to die or be injured before appropriate action is taken? - Yours, etc.,
AIDAN D. COLLINS, Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - Do we need cars on Irish roads capable of speeds of 100 m.p.h. and more? - Yours, etc.,
JENNY CULLEN, Albert Park, Sandycove, Co Dublin.