Breaking law will only lead to anarchy

No citizen in a democracy has the right to break the laws that he does not like without going through the Gandhi/King rules on civil disobedience.

Do the John Mallons of this country (Irish Examiner — Mar 4) not understand that if every citizen in a democracy decides only to follow those laws that he feels are “proper” that eventually anarchy will follow?

Refusing to pay the household charge is not an act of “civil disobedience” — to suggest such brings dishonour on the noble tradition of what civil disobedience truly is. I fear greatly for the future of this nation because of attitudes and beliefs held by those who state they will not follow the law.

By such positions they are advocating violence and tribal warfare.

Vincent J. Lavery

Coliemore Road

Dalkey

Co Dublin