Letters: Workers are keeping the community spirit alive as Dublin slump continues

Thanks to Mary Kenny for sharing ‘Cold comfort city: Dublin no longer the warm-hearted, chatty place it once was’ (Irish Independent August 2), a view held by so many people living in and visiting our capital.

I walk the streets of Dublin every day and have done so for so many years. The changes she referred to are sadly all too obvious.

There is a lack of manners and respect for others. The use of mobile phones, particularly on public transport, has made human beings invisible to others, while cycling on the footpaths has become the norm. The idea that someone else is there to clean up your rubbish after you seems to be widespread.

In spite of all the above, I am so grateful that I still meet our friendly postmen and women – let’s hope technology doesn’t condemn them to the scrapheap. Our young community gardaí finding their feet while getting to know people in the community, our wonderful 140 local bus driver, Anne, and the binmen somehow make up for the despair I feel at seeing Dublin losing its soul.

The new Lord Mayor needs support to make “Dublin a city of kindness”, but he is more likely to achieve success if he listens to the daily experiences of the people I have mentioned above.

Thank you, Mary. Let’s hope this is a first step – hope springs eternal.

Sport lifts us up but exit of manager an embarrassment

I have been a Tipp supporter since the time it was possible to cycle to Munster finals and leave an unlocked bicycle on the street.

I am acutely aware that over the past two to three years sport gave us a great uplift even if curtailed: rugby, racing, soccer and much more. The GAA, a wonderful example of real community involvement, gave us something to celebrate. The success of our Tipp minor hurlers, under the stewardship of James Woodlock, was the icing on the cake for us Tipp people this year.

Reading how Colm Bonnar was “relieved of his duties” with the senior side was an embarrassment and made me wonder if our capacity to be grateful, kind and – more importantly – human has been clouded.

I wish him happy days into the future.

Alice Leahy

Director of services, Alice Leahy Trust, Dublin 8

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Leahy deserves recognition for her tireless devotion

When official Ireland refers to women who have made real contributions to Dublin life, the heroic Alice Leahy is rarely mentioned.

Alice Leahy has worked tirelessly with the homeless since the early 1970s. She has also contributed to many reports and official bodies dealing with everything from crime to mental illness. Let’s honour this great woman now. Perhaps by building something practical like public wash-rooms for the homeless that are safe and monitored?

Karl Martin

Bayside, Dublin 13