Madam, - Dublin's Deputy Lord Mayor, Aodhan Ó Riordáin, urges people to stand up for Dublin in the face of criticism of the capital (July 12th). He extols the attractions of the city and encourages Dubliners to display the county's GAA colours this weekend as some sort of boost to morale.
With a recent change of lord mayor and city manager for Dublin, is it not time to look at certain unpleasant realities, despite Mr Ó Riordáin's euphoria? Dublin remains a filthy city where the litter laws are unenforced and bins remain unemptied, especially in summer. This is particularly true in places such as Grafton Street, which itself continues to be a worsening eyesore.
Add in the traffic-choked streets, anti-social behaviour, the proliferation of illegal beggars and the indifference of those working in shops and you get the general ambience of a third-rate capital. Festooning the place in gaudy GAA livery will only add to the problem, not improve it. - Yours, etc,
DERMOTT BARRETT, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.