Madam, - The dreadful murders of two young Polish men, Pawel Kalite and Marius Szwjkos, have shocked and outraged the entire country. It was a most vile and vicious crime. As someone who lived in the Drimnagh area for many years, I can tell you that the people there are utterly horrified and revolted by this evil deed.
The Polish people are a wonderful people and those who have come to this country have contributed so much to us. They are a hard-working, deeply religious people who have a profound love for God. They have suffered so much under the Nazis and later the communists. I visited Krakow last May and the churches were full for Mass, with no shortage of devout young people. The courtesy and hospitality of the people I met there were quite extraordinary.
What is happening to Ireland? It is certainly not the country I grew up in. The drink culture has reached epidemic proportions and the place is awash with drugs. Violence, of the most extreme and sadistic kind, has become commonplace. Unprovoked vicious attacks on innocent people are widespread.
Our streets are no longer safe, day or night. I have travelled to many countries, and visited many European capitals, and I've not experienced the binge drinking and all-pervasive sense of menace one encounters here in Ireland. What has happened to us? Are many of our young people totally out of control and beyond all hope?
Can nothing be done to salvage the situation before we reach the depths of depravity and utter chaos? Can nothing be done to help our young people, and restore their hope and give them a meaning in life and a reason to live? - Yours, etc,
ANTHONY REDMOND, North Great George's Street, Dublin 1.