Time to stop drinking ourselves to death
Whilst I feel extreme sorrow for the unfortunate young man who died so tragically, and for his parents and family, why does Ms Manifold feel anything other than revulsion towards the perpetrators of this senseless killing?
Why were there no murder charges? Was it because they were allegedly drunk? Does drunkenness excuse the taking of a human life? Was it because they were said to have attended a well known fee-paying school?
Does this have any bearing on the nature of the charges? The old excuse that they came from deprived backgrounds cannot be used in this instance.
Our ‘drinking society’ is the focus of much comment, but is anything being done by the Government? Why is the law not being enforced? Why are drink sellers entitled to serve a person who clearly has had enough?
Does anyone believe that the way to diminish this scourge is to crack down on those who flaunt the law?
If alcohol was not available for consumption after hours, then perhaps some solution might be possible. Until this happens drinking will remain out of control, lives will continue to be lost and violence and killing will escalate.
Dermot S Harte,
Buttevant,
Co Cork.
