Sir, - I cannot express adequately the horror and revulsion I felt on reading the report (The Irish Times, February 3rd) about the malicious damage to Carlton House, Lispopple, Swords, which was purchased by the health board to house a small number of former patients from the local psychiatric hospital.
The chairman of the local residents' group said his members neither had knowledge of nor took any part in this disgusting act of vandalism. However, the daily picketing last week by the residents' group may have served as an incitement to those who carried out the vandalism. The residents' group cannot do a Pontius Pilate. Under antiracism legislation, such picketing activity in a different arena would be regarded as an incitement to hatred and the picket carriers would face the full rigour of the law.
Should we really be surprised at the escalation of racist abuse directed at immigrants in Ireland when people such as the Lispopple group display such a shameful disregard for the rights, well-being and feelings of others whose only "crime" is to have suffered from psychiatric illness? I think not.
"Romantic Ireland" was dead and gone, Yeats wrote; we can now add "Christian Ireland" to the list of the dead! In its place, we have the Celtic Tiger; but beware if you are vulnerable or marginalised, as you run a high risk of being devoured. - Yours, etc.,
Tony Forde, Skerries, Co Dublin.