Right to Roam
Sir, – in response to Vincent Murphy’s query why Ireland does not afford the same luxury to roam all land freely as our Swedish counterparts (Letters, April 18th), I direct his attention to Conor Gallagher’s article on the front page of the same edition (“Houses Evacuated After Hiker Takes Home Artillery Shell”). The hiker in question, having taken an illumination round as a souvenir of his travels, triggered a nationwide search and the evacuation of a dozen homes in Carlow. Illuminating indeed. – Yours, etc.
R DUFFY,
DUBLIN 6.
Sir, – Vincent Murphy asks a very telling question “why not in Ireland”? (Letters, April 18th), in relation to the right, as in Sweden, to roam all land freely. I suspect the coupling with “respect” for property and farming animals might be where we might measurably fall down. The evidence is all around us, in the lazy trail of litter left on our shared roads, streets, pathways, parks and beaches. But, yes we are improving! – Yours, etc,
AIDAN RODDY,
Lambourne Wood,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – I too have always thought we should have the right to roam (Letters, April 18th), within reason and acting responsibility. But I can understand a landowner’s reluctance to some degree. If dog owners can’t even keep Fido on a leash in parks and areas where notices direct them to do so, livestock, wild animals and ground birds will suffer. Yes, I think we should have a right to roam, but I don’t think dogs should have the same right. – Yours, etc,
FRANK NEENAN,
Tullow Road,
Carlow.
Sir, – We live “one box of chips” from several late-night chipper typeoutlets. Every morning, especially at the weekends, we are welcomed by the sight of partially empty chip bags and lager cans (but no expensive craft brands!) If we cannot stop this kind of casual antisocial behaviour on our streets, l fear that Vincent Murphy (Letters, April 18th) will have a long wait before “allemansratten” manages to kick in here. – Yours, etc,
JOHN ROGERS,
Rathowen,
Co Westmeath.