Does anything good ever come out of Crumlin?
November 9, 1940
In my opinion, it can be understood why Justice McCarthy asked the question: “Does anything good come from Crumlin?” when we realise that it is only reasonable to expect that from an area with such a colossal population as Crumlin-Kimmage (approximately 60,000), a significant number of juveniles appear before the Courts charged with acts of vandalism. A Justice, continually hearing the bad side of the story, may get the impression that things are worse than they really are.
I would point out that nearly 90% of the population of Kimmage are decent, law-abiding citizens. However, as in every other community, there exists a section without respect for law or order, a state of affairs mainly due to youth unemployment and the displacement of these youths from their homes in the city to a different environment.
I might add that since the new police district was formed within the last few weeks, with headquarters at Sundrive Road station, things have improved considerably because of the greater vigilance of the Gardaí in the area.
Peter N. Somers,
35 Sundrive Road.
We have received letters from various Labour organisations on the same subject, demanding an apology and intimating that a public protest meeting will be held in the area on Sunday – Editor.