Sir, - As I understand it there is a simple principle of medicine: treat the cause and not the symptoms. If the Government would allocate money to treat the cause of "joyriding" - i.e., social deprivation - then the symptoms - death, injury and destruction - would in due course diminish or even disappear.
Socially,educationally and economically deprived youngsters affirm themselves by "joyriding". As John Lonergan and Peter McVerry point out, they are saying: "I want to be recognised as somebody." This is a natural human need and these youngsters have few opportunities to fill it.
I believe that if the money to be spent on the "Bertie Bowl", or even some of of it, were allocated to the areas where these youngsters live, to develop recreational, educational and social projects that give youngsters purpose, it would go a long way towards solving the problem. The same projects would reduce other juvenile crime as well.
How many more deaths will occur before politicians treat the cause of this problem, rather than the symptoms? - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK SEMPLE,
Richmond Park,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.