Tommy Broughan TD

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Latest Murders Highlight Government Failure To Tackle Thug Culture

Issued : Monday 18 January, 2010

The killings of Warren O’Connor who was stabbed when he went to the aid of some friends, and of Noel Deans who was gunned down in a residential area, is a clear indication that the culture of violence and thuggery is a growing problem in parts of Dublin.

These murders have come just a matter of days after the discovery of the body of John Paul Joyce, who also lived in the locality, and my thoughts first and foremost are with the bereaved families and members of the local community who are in shock after these deaths.

The law-abiding people in the area are outraged and appalled by these attacks, and could be forgiven for feeling that their policing needs are not being met.

It is clear that criminal gangs that struggle for control of turf have no regard for society or human life. While lucrative profits are to be made from supplying the demand for drugs the crime bosses will continue to meet that demand and are prepared to direct the use of whatever level of violence is necessary to protect their profits, regardless of the consequences.

It is also clear that for a small number of people, life is cheap, and mindless violence, regardless of its consequences, is part and parcel of everyday life.

Sadly, if previous cases are anything to go by, the perpetrators are unlikely to be brought to justice. According to recent statistics, the conviction rate for homicide has dropped to just 11%, meaning that as fewer than one in eight of those responsible for murders like this will ever be convicted.

Since 1997 successive Fianna Fail-led Governments have been telling us that they would put gangs out of business, but all the evidence shows they are failing in this regard.