BARBARA KELLY,
Madam, - It was with some surprise and indeed disbelief that we read in an article written by Kathyrn Holmquist (January 28, 2003), a comment attributed to Ms Marie Keenan of UCD's department of social policy and social work to the effect that sex offenders "cannot even get work as cleaners".
Ms Keenan - a sociologist and psychotherapist - made similar remarks on the Pat Kenny programme last week, i.e. that men with a sexual conviction cannot find a job sweeping the streets. Pat Kenny had the good grace to apologise to street sweepers for any offence which her remarks caused.
Cleaners - like those who sweep our streets - perform a vital job in ensuring the quality of life for the community, especially in the area of sanitation and health.
We trust that The Irish Times will offer an apology on behalf of Marie Keenan, to those workers who found the remarks offensive and made their feelings known to this office. - Yours, etc.,
BARBARA KELLY, Public Relations Official, SIPTU, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1.