JOS MENTING,
Sir, - In 1969 a photograph of my father being carried by two uniformed gardaí appeared in the national press. He had taken part in a sit-down protest against the destruction of Georgian Dublin. The gardaí wear genial, bemused expressions as they remove him, almost tenderly, from the scene. That photograph is proudly displayed on my wall. My father regularly regaled us with amusing and inspiring stories of his protesting days. Never did he suggest that he had been mistreated in any way by the authorities.
Now I have video footage of my brother and others being brutally attacked by gardaí for attending the "Reclaim the Streets" rally in Dublin last Monday. At a time when we regularly hear our politicians complain about the political apathy of our young people, it is ironic and disturbing to witness them closing ranks when these same young people are assaulted - by the very people we pay to protect them - for expressing their political views.
Such protests have always been how young people voice their opinions. It is essential that we listen to them and do not allow the establishment to sweep this horrific event under the carpet. Otherwise, I am afraid to think of what images I may see of my sons and daughters when they choose to speak out. Or worse still, they may not protest at all. - Yours, etc.,
Dr LARKIN FEENEY,
Linenhall Terrace,
Dublin 7.
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Sir, - On bank holiday Monday I attended the "Reclaim the Streets" protest which convened on Tara Street. The atmosphere was peaceful and joyful, with everybody relaxed, friendly and having a good time. This was a street party with drums, dancing and artists performing. It was a political statement from young Dublin people to politicians who do not listen to them, recognising their disillusionment and apathy and presuming that they will not vote.
The behaviour of the gardaí during this event was very heavy-handed and brutal. I saw one youngster lying on the ground with five gardaí hitting him and giving serious blows with batons. I was horrified that this could happen as there was no violence from the protesters' side.
When the demonstration was on the way to St Stephen's Green, I witnessed a group of 20 to 30 gardaí who charged with batons and hit out unprovoked at many young people. The youngsters made a peace sign, shouting that it was a peaceful demonstration, but this was completely ignored; gardaí continued hitting and succeeded in inflicting a lot of injuries and dispersing the crowd within minutes. Onlookers waiting on the bus were openly shocked and appalled about the behaviour of the Irish "unarmed" police force.
How can we encourage our children to express themselves or be politically aware when they are treated like this? The infringement of freedom is obvious - and I was also severely disappointed by the minimal media coverage on Monday evening. We deserve at least to be informed of what is happening on our streets. - Yours, etc.,
JOS MENTING,
Parkview Avenue,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - May I suggest that if the Irish public were to stop and think for a moment and imagine that the unruly crowd happened to be composed of English soccer fans, wearing their team's shirt or clad in Union Jacks, behaving in the exact manner the protesters did last Monday, the gardaí, regardless of whatever items of their uniform may have been missing, would be receiving unrestrained praise from our politicians, media sources and of course the public for their actions. - Yours, etc.,
PETER CLANCY,
Emmet Street,
Trim,
Co Meath.
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Sir, - As a hard-working taxpayer I am sick and tired of people like Gerard Reynolds (May 10th) claiming that those who care about the environment, traffic, pollution and social issues are all "layabouts". I work day in day out in this city, and I think I have as much right as anyone to take to the streets and voice my concerns about how it is being undermined by private cars, noise and air pollution.
I am an average Joe Citizen who feels disempowered and apathetic because of the way our Government is managing and maintaining our city.
Dublin has deteriorated immensely over the past five years. I walk to work every day and I sympathise with those who have no choice but to drive. However, this Government has done little or nothing to promote car sharing, higher occupancy vehicle lanes, pedestrian priority areas or quality bus corridors to reduce the impact of traffic on our city streets.
I wish that more Dublin citizens stood up and made themselves heard. The future for Dublin is dim if we continue to support politicians with no vision, no voice and no opinion on how it can become a sustainable city. Sustainable development cannot be achieved if citizens are kept out of the decision-making process and beaten down by those who are there to serve and protect us. - Yours, etc.,
J. HACKETT,
Dean Street,
Dublin 8.
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Sir, - A few middle-class kids get roughed up by the guards and all hell breaks loose.
Meanwhile, every week, working-class kids are dying from drug abuse in the inner-cities and there's barely a whimper.
Ambitious for Ireland? - Yours, etc.,
M. MAGILL,
Howth,
Co Dublin.