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Fine Gael spokesman on justice Charlie Flanagan is to seek a Dáil debate today on the murder of Aidan O’Kane in East Wall on Sunday night, which he described as a ‘watershed’.

He said it was vital that an emergency debate took place on violent crime in the light of the murder.

“The senseless murder of Aidan O’Kane is a watershed in Ireland’s vicious spiral into violent crime. It is even more disturbing that the horrific gunning down of a law-abiding citizen may have involved a minor,” he said.

Mr Flanagan said he would be pressing the Governmetn to to implement Fine Gael proposals for a minimum 25 year sentence for murder, and ten year jail sentences for the illegal possession of knives and firearms.

“We stand on the cusp of a crucial decision. If the State doesn’t take on the criminals now with a series of decisive measures, then violent crime will continue to rise and more innocent people will die. Co-ordinated action and tough legislation is the only way to bring an end to this horrific cycle of violence.”