Area where four killed in Hutch-Kinahan feud lost 100 gardaí

The number of gardaí in the division where four of the six killings in the Hutch-Kinahan feud have taken place has dropped by about 100 officers in the past five years, according to members of the area’s joint policing committee.

Independent councillors Christy Burke and Nial Ring, who sit on the committee, said it had been briefed by Chief Supt Pat Leahy, the head of community policing in the north inner city, who told them numbers had dropped from approximately 600 to 500.

Joint policing committees were established to provide a forum for Oireachtas members to discuss policing with senior Garda officers responsible for the area. The “central area” district covers Broadstone, North Wall, East Wall, Drumcondra, Ballybough and the north city centre.

Four of the recent killings in the escalating Hutch-Kinahan feud have occurred in the district, including three within a radius of about a mile.

Gunned down

David Byrne was gunned down at the Regency Hotel in February; taxi driver Eddie Hutch (58) was shot dead at his home on Poplar Row three days later; innocent party Martin O’Rourke (24) was murdered on Sheriff Street a fortnight ago; while Michael Barr (35) became the latest victim in Summerhill on Monday.

Mr Burke said “fear is running through the community like a river” and that four individuals in social housing in the community had approached him in relation to seeking a transfer out of the area.

“These are families who have lived in the area all their lives,” he said.

“They now want out. They are terrified. One woman who lives four or five doors down from the murder scene says she’ll no longer sit in the garden on sunny days with her grandchildren.”

Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan, who also sits on the district’s joint policing committee, said it met in recent weeks with Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan who said she was “satisfied” with Garda resources.