Dear Madam Editor
Is there any such thing as a critical voice in ‘NewsFour’ or are we all actually living in heaven; singing from the one hymn sheet.

Reading your issues over the last year one could presume that the rate of social, economic, even spiritual progress is such that we are actually living in paradise. We might presume that the benevolent forces of progress and integration have been successful, and the beautiful vistas of fresh concrete and glass with fluorescent illumination are a delight to all; as we ‘rapidly’ commute from VDU to SHOP toTV and/or PUB. The increasing torrent of pure objectivity that flows in this great city has surely found its home in Ringsend in more ways than one, or, are we all hiding behind bushes with dirty bottoms.

Affectionately yours
Christy Lambe

Not quite fair, Christy. ‘NewsFour’ has always endeavoured over the years to raise awareness of local issues affecting the community, for example the proposed incinerator, high-rise building issues, IGB shutdown, etc. We are acutely aware of how much ‘bad news’ appears in the national media and feel it is our duty to be more optimistic in our approach.

More than anything ‘NewsFour’ exists to celebrate the community it has been serving for 20 years, and their achievements large or small. We will continue in our endeavour to bring good tidings to one and all! Ed.

Dear Madam Editor
Page 4 of your Christmas edition contains a letter from ‘Martin Moore’ of Sandymount, seeking information about “A man called Ward”. The person he enquires about is my uncle. His full name was Patrick Colbert Ward, and as your correspondent mentioned, his father’s [my grandfather’s] name was also Patrick [Paddy]. Sad to say both passed away some time ago. Paddy [snr] died on 27th December 1984, but was pre-deceased by his son Paddy [jnr] who died on 22nd September 1979
He was one of seven children who were from Stella Gardens, Irishtown. His six sisters are all still living within the greater Dublin area.

Paddy [jnr], known to his family as Pat, went on to live in London and was employed as head porter in a number of exclusive hotels in the city. Having been diagnosed with a serious illness, Pat returned to Dublin and lived with one of his sisters until his death six months later.

I am fortunate to have in my possession a lot of information about my uncle Pat’s involvement with the ‘Palestine Police’, his kidnapping and subsequent escape. The name of his kidnapped colleague was Paddy Hackett who later died on active service with the British army in Malaysia.

One piece of information which I hold is a cutting from the front page of the ‘Irish Independent’ of the time, which reports on the kidnapping. Another cutting from the ‘Independent’ reports on their escape.

I also have a copy of the ‘Palestine Police Old Comrades Newsletter’ which has an obituary about my uncle. This obituary was written by one of Pat’s closest colleagues, namely Chris Shearman, also from Dublin. Chris went on to be a very successful restaurant proprietor in San Francisco. Another of Pat’s comrades was Eddie O’Leary, again from Dublin. Until the time of Pat’s death, the above named three would meet once a year in Dublin to renew their friendship and recount past events.
I hope this helps Mr Moore. He may contact me, if desired through ‘NewsFour’.

Regards,
John Sheridan

Dear Madam Editor
Congratulations on the Christmas issue of NewsFour– par excellence. Also best wishes for the New Year and so glad you are making such a good recovery.

Austin Cromie

Dear Madam Editor
I have noticed that our area has severely deteriorated since I moved in one and a half years ago. Between all the litter and the graffiti, it’s looking very bad. We have had many windows broken in our development over the past weeks not to mention the stolen bikes in the underground car park and the cars broken into. Do you think the city council has any plans to do anything about it?

I would like to invite all the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount communities to tell ‘News Four’ what they would like to see being improved in 2005 in their own area ‘News Four’ could then present this to our local TD’s, Gardai and Dublin City Council to see how best they can respond to the people that pay them (i.e. us) for all these services and see what they propose in order to stop these petty acts of crimes and vandalism and improve our quality of life.

I know from talking to some local old age pensioners that this type of vandalism puts them in a situation of stress and great discomfort. These people have worked hard all their life and despite their meagre pension they should be entitled (like all of us) to a far better standard of living.

Yours sincerely
Vincent (Ringsend)

Dear Madam Editor
As a regular walker around Ringsend, Irishtown, Bath Avenue, Sandymount and Ballsbridge areas I am appalled at how much dog waste lies on our paths and roads. It is illegal to allow a dog roam the streets without a lead, too many owners allow this and the city council must act now. It is now time owners take responsibility for their dogs’ waste and clean it up. Bath Avenue area is really bad and hopefully the owners will read this and start to have a little respect for other neighbours.

Yours sincerely
Local resident