2006: Violence and death.

national | crime and justice | opinion/analysis Wednesday December 13, 2006 22:23 by Michelle Clarke - Social Inclusion; understanding and compassion

List of people murdered in Ireland. Drug Crime.

What needs to be done?

Game plan to combat crime for 2006.........

I am surprised at the shock by the Irish Nation to the murders carried out in the last few weeks.

Murders in Ireland have been going on quietly but sadly for the last 10 years. Let me remind you of those murdered this year:

January: Martin McLoughlin, aged 21. Stabbed to death at a New Years day party in Juries Croke Park Hotel.

The same month:
Kevin Durkan, in his fifties, from Sligo, died after being assaulted in Parkgate Street, in Dublin.

Again January, Jim Fitzgerald in his fifties, died after being stabbed in his home in Co. Cavan.

Lithuianian man, Roburtas Konautus, was found dead in his home in Ashbourne, Co. Meath.

Amy Farrell, a bank official, and mother of 1, was stabbed to death in Leixlip.

Rebecca Kinsella aged 19 was stabbed and beaten to death in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

February

Dara McCormack aged 22, was shot dead near her home in Blanchardstown. It is amazing Liveline did not talk about Dara McCormack.

James Mahon, aged 62, a national boxing coach who was shot dead in Fermoy, Co. Cork.

10 year old Glen Keegan and his 6 year old brother Andrew stabbed to death by their mother (alleged) in Firhouse (very sad circumstances).

A Latvian man was stabbed to death in Artane.

Siobhan Kearney was found stabbed to death in her bed in Dublin.

March

Donna Cleary was shot dead in front of her two children in Coolock, Dublin. Again I have not heard Donna's plight on Liveline.

Shay Bradley from Derry shot dead in Cabra.

April

Cahill (Clonmel) shot dead.

Former IRA prisoner Denis Donaldson was shot dead in Donegal.

Wisely - shot dead in Tallaght.

Gerry O'Mahony, Cork, stabbed to death.

Gerard Goulding shot dead in Kilbarrack

May

Lee Kinsella age 30, shot dead in Ratoath, Co. Meath.

Aidan Kelly shot dead in Limerick

Keith Ryan found dead in Limerick

Patrick Harte found shot dead in Coolock

June

Emma McLoughlin stabbed to death in Laytown, Co. Meath

Kevin Fitzsimons shot dead in Kilbarrack

Dr Karen Guinee strangled to death in Galway

Limbo Murphy stabbed to death in Dundalk

Perdue and Barbour died in hospital, having sustained injuries on O'Connell Street

July

In July we had 4 deaths.

August

Gooch, Lynch; Charlie Wrench; Joe Clancy; Wayne Zambara all murdered in Dublin

September

We had 7 deaths as a consequence of murder.

October

Body of Meg Walsh found in the river Suir, Waterford.

Christopher Cauley stabbed in drugs row in Inchicore

Tony McGrath, Father of one, stabbed near his home in Clonsilla

November

Body of Thomas Moran shot in the head - Limerick

Ray Collins shot at Clonliffe Road

November and Swords again, Baiba Saulite, shot dead by contract killer

Paul Reay shot dead in Drogheda

December

John Malone was found dead with stab wounds

Kilkenny, Alan Cuniffe, shot dead by Asylum Seeker from China

Eddie McCabe was beaten to death in Rafters Lane, Driminagh.

That brings to a very high number the number of people slaughtered by the gun or knife in the year 2006.

There were 51 men, 10 women and 2 children.

We have attracted the financiers, wealth is sustained by tax breaks, we now have an expanded visible middle class but do people not realise that if this level of crisis continues, no money will entice people to remain on the Island of Ireland, if they live in fear of their lives......

How much do people in this country value human life, that of their children, their parents, their friends? When does it move beyond the level of apathy that pertains today.......and rebound in a collective to voice to say what motivation rests behind the violence?

The Dail today......saw stirred emotions for a change. Fine Gael, Enda Kenny mooted the Provisionals but Taoiseach Bertie Ahern firmly put aside this argument as non valid.

The issue for Ireland now rests in Gangland ....... it is rooted in a drug culture and seepage through our country that is responsible for a considerable amount of hardship and violence. Not alone are risks being taken to smuggle in illegal substances but weaponry of all makes and sorts is being forward also.

Joe Duffy summed it up well today. Let the people in D4, Foxrock, and other elitist areas and professions stand up, be accountable and stop buying these illegal drugs. Let them know that if they are 'users' they are participating in the violence that begets Gangland.

In the 1980's........ it took the people in Dublin 2 and other areas isolated by illegal drugs, addictions, to make a stand. If they did not do so, too many of their children and friends would be destined ahead of time for their plot in the graveyard.

I know it may sound boring but McDowell, Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, was subdued today. Probably it was the first time in many years. You see he probably knew he could not stand over his comments of two years ago - Gangland murders were according to his words the 'last sting of a dying wasp'............

One point : The Criminal Assets Bureau.
There have been several articles written on Indymedia by Michelle Clarke seeking a distribution of the funds gathered by the CAB from drug related sources to be invested into the field of sourcing drug contacts, providing education, and rehabilitation. We know that Government have collected substantial funds relating in the Main to Corruption .......... we are now Cash Rich.......but yet Drug crime rests at an all time high. How do we resolve this? Funds collected from drug lords can easily be earmarked and labelled Drugs Related.......

Any ideas out there for Government and Commissioner of An Garda Siochana?

How do we deal with this issue? How do we accept the island nation state and the widespread distribution factor; in a way that our Gardai are in the position to outstep the gangland dealers........with the support of the people at grassroots.......

Lets start with the geographics

.....I would say Northside Dublin; Fianna Fail stronghold...

Then social problems. Yes, the dreaded alcohol consumption problem!!!! Is too much attention being paid to catching people on the Roads by Gardai? Then think of the STI problems that abound.....Aids...a real issue......

Several times today mention was made of non Jury Trials......any views?

Good Night

Rodge and Podge with the help of Mon. Duffy Liveline are charged with impetus to step ahead of the Govt brains and the Gardai?