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Irish Independent

Letters: Youth can be no excuse for those responsible for acts of violence on our streets

I am being asked by my friends in India about how safe Ireland is. Some of them were earlier asking if their children could come and study in Ireland, as it was considered safe. They were prepared to spend thousands of euro to send them for third-level education. Now I am in a dilemma. What can I say to them? My country, Ireland, is carrying a bad name. It is time to determine who is responsible for creating this environment of fear. The teens who are usually involved in such incidents get away because they are young. This does not excuse them, as they cause life-­altering damage to a person's life. This affects at least five more lives who are depen­dent on them. How can the law be oblivious of the damage done to families on the excuse of the perpetrator being young? If there is any politics in it, the individuals need to be singled out and made to pay a price. In the US, the parents of such criminals are being punished for the damage their children do. Can that not be followed in Ireland? And how about treating such criminals as adults in Irish courts? Pradeep K Chadha, Castleknock, Dublin 15 Would ending Triple Lock mean Ireland was free to intervene in Palestine? Assuming the Triple Lock on our neutrality is eventually lifted, can we expect the Irish Government to send troops on humanitarian duties to ensure food gets into Gaza and people are protected? I mean, we would be free of the UN mandate and seeking its approval. Or would we require US-, UK- and EU-supporting Israel's approval to do the above? John Cuffe, Co Meath Who will pay to rebuild Gaza after the conflict is finally brought to an end? A recent commentator rightly underlines that 'recognition alone cannot substitute for immediate, concrete action that includes a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access and accountability for atrocities'. ADVERTISEMENT This is the very minimum series of actions necessary to go towards the rebalancing of the appalling man-made humanitarian tragedy imposed on the Palestinian people by the state of Israel. But so much more needs to be done, inter alia – the imposition of sanctions on Israeli ministers, military personnel and officials respons­ible for war crimes; employment of all international mechanisms to bring the culprits to justice; and the ending of all preferential trade and service arrangements for Israel under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Finally, and crucially, to date I have heard no mention of war reparations for the deaths, destruction and dispossession suffered by the Palestinians. Who will have the courage to demand these compensations from Israel? Or will it be the EU, in the wake of its pathetic political inaction throughout the last two years, that will transfer vast sums of money for the rebuilding of Gaza, in an effort to salve its conscience and regain whatever little moral authority remains? Tom McGrath, Ashford, Co Wicklow Pope Leo has a chance to send a powerful message by visiting Middle East The Catholic Church has an opportunity to make a positive impact on the dire situation in Gaza. Shortly after his election, the late Pope Francis visited the island of Lampedusa and highlighted the indifference to migrants and asylum- seekers . A visit to Gaza by Pope Leo would have an equal impact on the dire situation of the Palestinian people as they die from bullets and starvation. Even if he got as far as the Rafah crossing, it would send out a powerful message to the people of Gaza that religion has no borders. Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, Dublin Pharma tariffs are a risk to Ireland, but it's consumers in US who will suffer most US president Donald Trump has ann­ounced that pharmaceutical tariffs could eventually reach up to 250pc. He referenced Ireland's strength in the pharmaceuticals sector in an interview on Tuesday. It seems Trump doesn't give a hoot about the ordinary American person as he considers such an extortionate tariff. Medical care in America is already outrageously expensive, and when you throw a possible 250pc on pharmaceuticals, the collateral damage of such a punitive tax will be felt by everyone. This latest threat certainly raises big questions for Ireland. It's reported that a deal between the EU and the US is getting closer. One is curious as to what the terms of such a deal will be. The pharmaceuticals and medtech sectors coll­ectively employ over 70,000 people within the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) network. This includes both direct employment in manufacturing and indirect roles associated with the industry. The sector is a significant contrib­utor to Ireland's economy, with pharmaceutical exports representing 39pc of the total. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Thanks to my teacher for always encouraging his students to 'speak proper' On Pat Kenny's radio show last Monday, there was an item on the widespread misuse of grammar these days. For example: 'He was sat there.' I was lucky that in ­primary school we had a teacher who constantly reminded us of the importance of (as Gay Byrne used to preach) speaking proper. Mind you, as youngsters sat there, it would be years later when I would appreciate that teacher's dedication. A very belated thank you, sir. Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 All-Ireland final shows how Jim Gavin's changes have revitalised the game It was a pleasure to watch the recent All-Ireland football final contested by players displaying all the skills of the game. Thanks to Jim Gavin and all concerned for getting rid of the 'puke football' introduced way back in 2003 by Tyrone, and progressed to a more dreary and boring game by Donegal in 2012. Long may the game continue to progress with its skills of high fielding and long-range points from play.