MOURNERS AT the funeral of Limerick's most recent gangland victim yesterday heard a call for an end to the "senseless killings" that have placed the city in the spotlight for "all the wrong reasons".
Fr John Donworth was speaking at the funeral Mass of 20-year-old James Cronin, whose body was found in a shallow grave last Monday.
It is believed Cronin, who died from a single gunshot wound to the head, was killed by the gang who ordered the murder last Saturday of Mark Moloney (40), who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.
Gardaí believe Cronin had supplied the vehicle used in the shooting of Moloney and was killed by those involved in that attack because they feared he would turn informer.
Two members of the gang suspected of carrying out the two murders have since fled the jurisdiction.
Hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Cronin were asked to pray for young people, especially children who were being lured into violence by gangs.
"Children need to be aware that not everyone who appears to be friendly or generous is your friend. They can lead you into a way of life that is difficult to get out of and can end tragically, as sadly happened to James Cronin," said Fr Donworth.
"Our city is again in the spotlight for the wrong reason - feuding gangs taking each others' lives.
"It is a sad business. Hopefully people will see reason and put a stop to these senseless killings. No life should end like that," he added.
Fr Donworth told mourners that Cronin was a young man who was described as "very quiet by those who knew him".
"Unfortunately for James he met some of the wrong people and someone silenced him by taking his young life, and what a tragic way for a young life to end."
Cronin's parents Marie Cronin and James Corbett were the chief mourners, along with his mother's partner Anthony Kelly.
His white aluminium coffin was taken by horse-drawn carriage to Mount St Oliver Cemetery for burial.
Plainclothes detectives and gardaí maintained a discreet presence outside the church, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Janesboro, which is a short distance from where Cronin's body was discovered.
The Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, will this weekend also appeal for an end to violence.
In a special message, which will be delivered at Masses across Limerick this evening and tomorrow, Dr Murray will say the recent spate of violence in Limerick "is the tragic fruit of greed, hatred and the desire for revenge".
"Can those who engage in such evil actions not see what is so obvious to everyone else - the utter futility of brutal behaviour, which disregards the value of human life, which brings tragedy and sorrow to the families of their victims, and which shrivels their own humanity?"
Dr Murray will also say it is tragically clear that the "self-destructive attitudes" involved are being communicated to a new generation.