Madam, - On a recent RTÉ news report, Garda Commissioner Murphy said some gardaí were issuing firearms certificates for legally held handguns while others were attempting to remove similar firearms from criminals.
The direct juxtaposition of firearms legally held by citizens (all of whom have been thoroughly vetted by local Garda superintendents), with criminals' illegal firearms shows an abysmal quality of thought by our most senior Garda, particularly when the definitive evidence shows no connection between these entirely separate groups.
As a holder of firearms certificates for over 30 years, I strongly resent the connection suggested by the Garda Commissioner. - Yours, etc,
Madam, - John Deasy TD is concerned that many people hold licensed firearms and - coincidently - criminals use firearms. He needs to be more imaginative in his crime control efforts.
There have been thousands of crimes in the State where cars and motorbikes have been used as "getaway" vehicles. Privately owned vehicles should be banned, removing this easy option for criminals. More worrying, anyone, even a man, can buy a pair of ladies' tights over the counter for use as a stocking mask, with no background check or investigation as to their need for such an item. There must be millions of unregistered tights in circulation.
This is clearly worrying and perhaps an area Mr Deasy could investigate. - Yours, etc,