Sir, - Noel Hogan (August 23rd) appears stung by my reference to the "monster student hive" to be built in Dartry, Dublin, and takes it as a derogatory reference to the insectile nature of students. Far from it. Having gone through metamorphosis myself I realise just what a poor self-image this privileged group of people have.
The point of my comment was not that students are a lower form of life but that it is irresponsible to build student or any other accommodation in an area essentially devoid of transport infrastructure. The dangers inherent in another 800-odd ants - sorry, students - debouching on a road which already resembles the Indianapolis 500 are self-evident. The 14 and 14A bus routes are overstretched and slowly strangling, the relief of the Southern Cross motorway is years away and Luas, as we all know, is little more than a twinkle in Mother O'Rourke's eye. - Yours, etc.,
Eamon Sweeney, South Hill, Dartry, Dublin 6.