Sir, - Judge John Garavan's labelling of late night drinking hours as "uncivilised" and not a time when "respectable people" would think of socialising shows just how far our progressive new society still lags behind our European neighbours.
I have recently returned from a year in Barcelona where more enlightened licensing laws allow people to make their own choices about when they wish to socialise. Far from being uncivilised, this creates a pleasant and relaxed drinking culture, a far cry from the mayhem of closing time here when half the population can be found shouting for a double order at the bar. The later closing times allow people time to relax after work and enjoy dinner as a social occasion before going out to meet their friends. People in the most respectable areas of the city have been known to leave their house as late as one o'clock in the morning.
Now it seems I have returned to a society where I am not deemed responsible and people like Judge John Garavan must make my decisions for me. - Yours, etc.,
Conn Holohan, Malahide, Co Dublin.