Sir, – You report that TCD research shows "women of advancing years are prone to falling" (News, August 21st). I would be interested to know if their results coincide with the recent neglect of footpath maintenance by city and county councils and the proliferation of manhole covers by mobile and broadband telecommunications companies, on these same footpaths. I broke my ankle this year on a wet manhole cover which had been placed alongside the blister paving at a pedestrian crossing. – Yours, etc,
JOAN REIDY,
Malahide, Co Dublin.