Joy in the city, but louts mar town festival
On Grand Parade, Patrick Street and throughout the city, festivities were a joy to behold.
There was music and dancing, an abundance of talent and a variety of international cuisine to complement the happy, smiling faces enjoying the momentous occasion.
There was a good-natured garda presence keeping all on an even keel. That is to their credit an example of professional policing of large gatherings.
In stark contrast, the EU celebrations in Kinsale coincided with the annual Rugby Sevens event and all that goes with it. After 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, the intimidation by drunken louts was evident for all to see. The booze flowed freely on the streets from glass bottles and plastic cups. Urination and vomiting on the streets seemed the order of the day, together with brawling and shouting.
What was happening had nothing whatsoever to do with rugby. It had much to do with drinking and the incapacity to behave appropriately when drink is taken.
The scenes described were witnessed while out walking through the town on the evenings in question.
Again on Sunday morning, walking from World's End to the Bandon Road, the weekend's drunken behaviour was all too evident.
There was litter on every street blowing over broken bottles, urine stains and, in two places, blood-stains and vomit. The only winners of course were the publicans; the losers, the residents.
Does Kinsale really need the Rugby Sevens without adequate policing?
I, for one, don't think so.
Brendan Berkeley,
Árd Na Gaoithe,
Cappagh,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.
