Sir, - John O'Donoghue, the Fianna Fail spokesman on justice, (May 13th) challenged critics of his party's "zero tolerance" crime policy to answer several questions he poses to balance the debate.
Firstly, let me say that John O'Donoghue overstates his case when he says that it is within the capacity of politicians to solve the crime issue. The crime issue can never be solved, but it can be reduced. Certainly, politicians have the capacity to do this but have they the will?
Mr O'Donoghue poses two questions which he says his critics have not answered. Firstly, if zero tolerance of crime is not acceptable, what level of crime is? This is mischievous and most unhelpful to any balanced debate. No right thinking person believes that any level of crime is acceptable, but people do distinguish between crime and lawbreaking. The Oxford Dictionary describes crime as an "Act punishable by law, usually of grave offence." So what about the minor offences, such as having no tail light or drinking after hours or parking illegally? The Gardai are very strict on these minor offences too, just stand outside the Garda bound and watch all the cars going in. The only difference zero tolerance will make is that it will remove a Garda's discretion; so where you would have previously got off with a caution you now feel the full rigour of the law.
The second question he asks is, what laws would critics of zero tolerance repeal? This critic would repeal some of the licensing laws, especially regarding winter closing time. If Fianna Fail have their way we'll all be needing a strong drink.
Mr O'Donoghue states that there is a philosophy of tolerance of a certain level of crime. Can he substantiate such a claim? It is a gross insult to our Gardai but also to an intelligent public. Is he suggesting that the Guards stand idly by while crime is being committed? To suggest that a blind eye is turned to crime is naive in the extreme. The only time I know of when a blind eye is turned is when politicians petition the Department of Justice.
Here's my alternative policy, Mr O'Donoghue: bring the Gardai back up to strength, open rural Garda stations, adopt a new and radical approach to imprisonment, and redirect large scale funding to disadvantaged areas where the young people have no amenities.
Stop looking for the quick fix solution, the easy soundbite, the latest magical "it works in America" import, and consult the man on the street and the Garda on the beat.
Zero tolerance is an extreme policy used in America to deal with extreme situations and is best left in that environment. Ordinary people, like myself, will not be duped into surrendering our civil liberties for what at best can be called an ill conceived electioneering strategy. Yours etc.,
Student of Communications DCU.
Dublin 9.