REMEMBERING DRUGS VICTIMS

Sir,

The organisers of the Christmas Tree Project - erected in Pimlico
Green near Thomas Court in the Liberties of Dublin in memory of young
people who died from drugs misuse - would like to thank Sean Maloney
of Dublin Corporation, Inspector Gerry Lovett of Kevin Street Garda
Station, the St Nicholas of Myra Community Resource Centre and the
South West Inner City Network. Without their help it would have been
difficult to have gone ahead with the project. We are grateful also to
resident/community groups (especially Meath Place) for their support.

We would also like thank the relations and friends of deceased young
people for bringing along flowers, wreaths and photographs to the
Christmas tree. It was a sobering experience to see young and old
stopping and offering up a prayer, especially on Christmas Day.

When the lights were turned off on January 7th the flowers and wreaths
were brought to St Catherine's Church, Meath Street, where Father
Tadhg Crowley and Father Ivan Tonge concelebrated Mass. After the
ceremony John Lonergan, governor of Mountjoy Prison, spoke movingly
about the under-privileged in our society, many of whom end up in
Mountjoy. He was applauded by all, including the priests. The Minister
of State, Chris Flood, did a reading.

We intend to erect a permanent memorial in Pimlico Green in 1999.
Anyone who would like to contribute or support the organisers in any
way should contact us.

Yours, etc. John Gallagher, Marie Stanley, South West Inner City
Network, Carman's Hall, Dublin 8.