Madam, - My experience recently as I went for a walk in Dublin on a lovely sunny evening: from Francis Street across St Stephen's Green to Ballsbridge.
On Francis Street (7.30) I was stopped by a gang of boys aged about nine to 13 looking for cigarettes. When I said I did not smoke the boys let loose with foul language and name-calling and I walked away.
On Stephen's Green (7.40) two young men, heavily tatooed and drunk, asked me for money. I kept walking but not before I was pushed and had my bag pulled off my shoulder.
Near the US Embassy (8.00) the most serious event took place. I was walking on the pavement when four youths of about 14 came down the street and hit me from behind with a missile of some sort in the back of the head. I was shocked and could only watch while the boys cycled off, laughing hysterically.
I really love living in Dublin but if the future is the yob culture so prevalent in English cities, it might be time to buy that place in France. God help the tourists. - Yours, etc.,
MARTIN FENNELLY, Dublin 4.