The Government was tonight criticised in the Dail over the shooting of a five-year-old boy in Limerick in a Limerick feud.
Jordan Crawford was hit in his thigh on Sunday evening during a drive-by shooting in the O'Malley Park area of Southill.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused the Government of not deploying enough Garda resources into the area to protect the community.
Mr Kenny quoted gardai who said several people could have died if the automatic weapon used in the attack had not jammed. It is believed the gunmen were targeting the boy's uncle.
Mr Kenny said that there was only one more garda stationed in the Southern region in 2005 compared 2004.
He added: "Olivia Crawford didn't realise her son was shot until he collapsed in a pool of blood in her kitchen floor.
"This drive-by shooting was different from other gangland shootings that have exploded on your watch. "Jordan wasn't associated with the underworld."
Mr Kenny said the Government had failed spectacularly to deal with serious crime. Psychopathic gangs which are recruiting children, with no fear, no respect, no moral code."
He claimed no major crime bosses have been jailed in the past five years. He said that Ireland had literally 'gone to the dogs' in crime terms under Mr McDowell's watch. "Rapes, murders, stabbings and beatings are now an everyday part of Irish life, city and country," he added.
He said there were 64 violent deaths in the first full year of Mr McDowell's term in office. There was a 40% increase in discharges of weapons and 362 reported rapes from September 2005-2006.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern replied: "There is a very small, but hardened and dangerous group of criminals that operate in that community and other communities too."
He said the Government was investing in garda resources and community facilities to tackle ongoing gang feuding.
Mr Kenny also criticised the comments by Defence Minister Willie O'Dea who said that no democratic government can prevent crime.
"It's an absolute disgrace for a minister for defence to stand up and say that to the nation at large," Mr Kenny said.
He added: "While Minister O'Dea may well crow to the nation, Mrs Crawford was mopping her son's blood up from her kitchen floor, aged five years of age. Smirk at that if you want."