Armed checkpoints leaving their mark on youngsters

Dear Sir,

A trip to the swimming pool or Drogheda boys on Marleys Lane is not what it used to be. On a recent normal visit to the town of Drogheda I had my two children in the back of the car. A boy 12 and the girl is 8.

The unarmed guard was very pleasant and apologised to the children and even said we are only doing this to keep everyone safe. But what stuck with my 8 year old girl was the men with black faces and guns. (Emergency response unit) She asked me that night going to bed, why were they there what were they doing and would they come after her?

Those people have children too I assume. They are strong brave people. But how can the town of Drogheda be dragged into what is essentially a turf war between tugs. There will hopefully be only one winner. The men with the black hoods who scared my 8 year old daughter. If they fail then our society fails. I wish them well.

My daughter will get over this. But what is happening is evil and dangerous and is having an effect on normal people going about their daily lives.

Yours, Cllr Wayne Harding