Sickening behaviour

WHATEVER the rights and wrongs of the Rossport/Shell controversy, it is disgusting to see gardaí baton citizens and violently manhandle them for the convenience of an extremely controversial multinational company.

I saw gardaí on the RTÉ news (November 10) break the windows of an elderly woman’s car and drag her from it with unnecessary force; they picked up a man and threw him over a barrier and then baton-charged a crowd.

This was sickening and must disturb any reasonably minded person.

Realistically, we expect appalling behaviour from Shell given their attitude in Nigeria towards the Ogoni people, but we should at least expect the Government to behave better. Instead we saw the Taoiseach condemning the protesters. The Government has lost my vote after this debácle.

Joseph Bergin

89 Abbeyfield

Milltown Road

Dublin 6