Madam, - I note that Iarnród Éireann refers to truck drivers whose trucks have repeatedly hit rail bridges in Portlaoise as "dumb" ( The Irish Times, October 2nd).
When I was in school, "dumb" referred to those unfortunate people who were unable to speak.
There may be some excuse for children who have grown up with
imported American TV programmes to use this term to describe
someone of low intellect, but Iarnród Éireann
spokespersons should strive to rise above such mediocrity. - Yours,
etc,
CYRIL O'NEILL,
Blundell Wood,
Edenderry,
Co Offaly.