Sir, - The low rent charged by Dublin Corporation to Denis Desmond for the use of Smithfield for music events has rightly generated negative comment in recent days. So too has the imposition of these commercial events on the local residents and the consequent disruption to their lives. But there is another very serious issue which seems to have escaped the attention of journalists, politicians and civil liberties groups.
Last Saturday I attended the performance by the Buena Vista Social Club. Roads around Smithfield were blocked off and policed by members of An Garda Siochana. But on entering Smithfield itself I found that the Garda had surrendered its policing function to a private security firm. I observed my fellow citizens having their handbags searched and their bodies frisked by other citizens wearing reflective jackets bearing with the name of the security firm. This might be acceptable on private property such as the Point Theatre, but this was in a public place - or has the privatisation of Smithfield been completed without debate?
It is my understanding that the Garda itself has only limited powers to search citizens, and that this power may not be used in an arbitrary way. It is disturbing to me that greater powers now seem to rest with private security firms. Perhaps someone from the Department of Justice could clarify whether these firms now have the power to stop and search citizens in a public place and whether this action is lawful and constitutional? - Yours, etc.,
Tom Stokes, Balally Grove, Dundrum, Dublin 16