A chara, - On Burgh Quay one afternoon last week, enjoying being back in Dublin after being away for a while, I was shocked by what I came across as I drove by the two public toilets along the riverside as you approach O'Connell Bridge. A man and a woman, whom I thought at first to be in some state of distress, were shouting and banging on one of the toilet doors which was closed. I wondered if someone was stuck inside, but then the door opened to reveal four other individuals inside the toilet, complete with syringe. I presume they were taking more than their fair share and this was the cause of the couple's distress. Oblivious that they were creating a ruction, the couple swapped places with two of the others and entered the toilet.
Was it a complete once-off coincidence that I happened to drive by and witness this occurrence? If so, it would explain how the Garda wouldn't have known about such goings on smack bang in the middle of our capital. I very much doubt, however, that this was the first time that these toilets have been used for such things. And probably not the last.
It's as real pity that there was a coachload of Americans sitting in traffic right beside me watching the same show! - Is mise,
Runan Fox, Shandon Drive, Phibsboro, Dublin 7.