Madam, - As the din of the Halloween fireworks blitz dies down, maybe it is time to reflect on why it is that so many people right across the city and probably the country seem so at ease breaking the laws with regard to fireworks. These are people who, one assumes, are normally law- abiding citizens but at Halloween, en masse, they ignore the law.
What do they tell their kids, who will in most cases, be entertained by the lawbreakers - "this law is an ass but you must always do as you are told"? What is most worrying is that these otherwise model citizens put people's limbs at some risk (including their own and those of their children) and show no regard for their elderly neighbours who are usually frightened by the noise, especially if the fireworks happen to be in the garden next door.
And they have no thought for the terrifying experience fireworks are for any animal within a radius of some miles (I have a dog who has been absolutely terrified for the past few weeks)? Maybe they sedate their cat, their dog and their granny for the month.
Do hospital A&E departments have any statistics on Halloween fireworks injuries?
Is there any possibility that common sense will break out next year and that we can focus on the traditional aspects of Halloween? - Yours, etc.,
VINCENT FLYNN, Brighton Square, Rathgar, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Fireworks were going off like mad at Halloween. It was hurting my ears and some old people's ears. The dogs and cats did not like it either. The Government should really watch out for these fireworks, and stop boys and girls lighting fireworks. I would like our President, Mary McAleese, to help get rid of these dangerous fireworks. - Yours, etc.,
AMY FITZSIMONS (aged 7), Glenageary, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Anarchy was evident in the capital tonight (Halloween), with illegal explosive materials and bonfires in abundance.
The State, with its law enforcers, is powerless.
The innocent, especially the elderly, were vulnerable and I have no doubt very, very frightened. I came under attack on a few occasions whilst driving.
To use "reasonable force" in this situation, what does one use to protect oneself ? - Yours, etc.,
GARY HEARNS, Camolin, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Madam, - Your correspondent Carmel Courtney, (Oct 30th), deplores the lack of commentary from Government on the (now) annual misery caused to citizens by the first signs of Christmas, the Halloween banger.
Surely if A&E citizens can go to hell as bed-blockers, Ms Courtney is expecting rather too much in hoping that the Government might care about shaking and shivering terrorised cats and dogs. - Yours, etc.,
CATHERINE CAVENDISH, Marine Drive, Sandymount, Dublin 4.
Madam, - I was surprised by Christine Newman's report on Halloween (Nov 1st). Reading it, one might think that it is a one-night only event, somewhat boisterous but all jolly good fun. It is not.
Halloween, in this country, has degenerated into an extended period of fireworks and loud explosions, sometimes going on until the small hours of the morning and lasting well over a month. The elderly and the sick must dread this time of year. Pet owners have to buy sedatives for their pets. The already over-stretched A&E departments of our hospitals have to deal with the extra workload of firework-related injuries.
This is not good fun. This is an intolerable situation that has been allowed to get completely out of hand. If the authorities continue to turn a blind eye to this excess of noise and air pollution, no doubt the problem will be even worse next year. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL K. POWER, Sandyford Road, Dublin 16.
Madam, - Thank you so much for your Editorial highlighting the problem of illegal fireworks. I am living in Waterford city and we experience nightly torture here with the constant disturbance of the peace due to bangers and fireworks. It's a disgrace that these selfish people can be allowed to terrorise and frighten the residents of the city. Many of the fireworks are exploded near the regional hospital and near old people's homes. This is the worst year so far and I feel that unless they are banned or regulated in some way, next year the situation will be worse. - Yours, etc.,
NORA CORKERY, Powerscourt Lawns, Waterford