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Madam – RTE's Love/Hate series has provoked a lot of commentary in the media. I agree that the acting is great and the plot line is clever and plausible, but I think it's wise to bear in mind that the series is based on the real horror and tragedy of Irish ganglands.
In particular, the unsavoury links depicted in recent episodes between mainstream gangsters and dissident so-called republicans reflect a sickening reality.
In that dark and ruthless underbelly of our society, there are no heroes or winners, no sexy killers or super-cool dealers; only a seemingly endless supply of evil human beings, whose activities have brought grief and misery to countless families and whose drug-pushing has ripped communities apart.
The drama should remind us that there are non-fictional guys out there who think they're above the law, who seek to make millions from peddling their poison, strutting around like twisted pop stars of crime.
I commend the actors in Love/Hate for conveying such a chilling picture of Ireland's underworld, but I suggest that the most fitting way to show our appreciation of their work is to pass on any information we might have on true life gangland activities to the gardai.
That way, they can put away real killers and drug pushers and leave the rest of us to watch the make-believe ones on TV!
John Fitzgerald,
Callan, Co Kilkenny
