Helmetless... Young pretenders... Defensive tactics
- In the text accompanying a photograph of Ciaran Cuffe arriving at Leinster House on his bicycle (February 13), he is described as "helmetless".
A cyclist without a helmet in Ireland is unremarkable, and I wonder why you chose to highlight it.
Given the unimpressive data emerging from jurisdictions which have introduced mandatory helmet laws, I say Mr Cuffe's decision not to is perfectly acceptable.
The Wikipedia entry on "Bicycle Helmet" gives a balanced account of the contested and contradictory evidence on whether bicycle helmets make any meaningful contribution to road safety.
DERMOT RYAN
EMMET ROAD, DUBLIN 8
- Currently, Irish citizens cannot become President of Ireland if under the age of 35. It is a strange imposition of age restriction.
There have been numerous examples of leaders who have assumed office, worldwide, while under this age.
Michael Collins was under 35 in 1922. Queen Elizabeth II assumed her throne at age 25.
I would suggest that this age restriction should be changed to be the same level that applies to TDs.
JOHN KENNEDY
GOATSTOWN, DUBLIN 14
- What has businessman Denis O'Brien got against Irish soccer fans?
He coughs up the cash to help the FAI bring in Giovanni Trapattoni, one of the most defensive managers in the history of the game, and then announces that he doesn't even want match tickets in return.
So, can we take it that Mr O'Brien will not be turning up to watch as Trapattoni bores a nation into submission?
ULTAN O’GRADY
GOATSTOWN, DUBLIN 14
