Sir, - Recently the Assistant Garda Commissioner, Jim McHugh, invited Leinster rugbyplaying schools and the Licensed Vintners Association to a seminar in Dublin. This initiative was no doubt prompted by the serious deterioration in behaviour at and following Leinster schools rugby matches in recent years.
The schools cup competition kicked off last week. One of the grounds most used is that at Donnybrook. I suggest that parents, health and sports ministers and policy administrators should drop in and see what we as a country are offering our young people. The place is a cauldron of vulgar advertising for alcoholic drink. Advertising hoardings for Guinness and Heineken encircle the whole ground, with the exception of the stand. It is a disgrace that schools rugby matches should be held in such an environment. I call on schools involved in rugby competitions to open their eyes and, as educators of young people, to face up to this obscenity. There are other venues where these matches could be played. Even schools rugby is only a game. Health is not . - Yours, etc.,
Maurice Ahern, St Gatien Court, Dublin 14.