BARRY O'CONNOR,
Sir, - It was incongruous to read in your edition of March 27th that Travellers' organisations are "up in arms" about the measures to make trespass a criminal offence. How can they seriously believe that entering, occupying and causing "substantial damage" to lands, without the owner's permission, is unworthy of the title? Thousands of pounds have been wasted by local authorities in Dublin in previous years to repair damage caused by Travellers. People who cause such damage should be classed as criminals. Gardaí have traditionally found it difficult to move against illegal encampments. I hope this new law will change that.
I do accept, on the other hand, that the proposal is rushed and has not been sufficiently debated. - Yours, etc.,
BARRY O'CONNOR,
Cabinteely Close,
Dublin 18.