A senior clergyman has called upon people to remember the victims of criminal violence this Christmas.
After a spate of gangland murders, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill, said his thoughts were with the people affected by violence which is becoming more commonplace.
During his Christmas message the Archbishop said: "As we celebrate this season of joy, our thoughts turn to those who have suffered through the criminal violence that is now becoming so commonplace in our own society.
"At the very edges of Irish society now are not only those who choose a way of life that isolates them, but also those unwittingly drawn into lives dominated by addictions that continually pull them further down."
Pressure has been mounting on the Government to control the escalation of gangland violence.
This week saw the burial of two criminals who were gunned down, and an innocent workman who was killed as it was believed the gunmen had not wanted to leave witnesses behind.
Criminal Gerard " Bath" Byrne, was shot up to five times in the head outside the Mace supermarket in
Apprentice plumber Anthony Campbell, 20, was shot dead in a Finglas house before gunmen killed their intended target, drug lord Martin "Marlo" Hyland.
Dr Neill said people must also consider those who are homeless in Irish society.
He said: "Here in the city centre, we are aware of the homeless, and also those far from home and loved ones, who have come to our shores seeking asylum, or simply an escape from poverty.
"There are no instant solutions to any of their problems, but we have to begin from the fact that these are each individuals made in the image of God, and for whom Jesus Christ came into the world."