THE BRUTAL murder of Shane Geoghegan at the weekend, as he returned to his home in Limerick, is a stark reminder that nobody is safe in a society where gangland criminals fight for control of an illegal drugs trade.
The killing of this innocent young man, because of mistaken identity, should bring home to recreational drug-users their personal responsibility in funding criminal activity and to ordinary citizens their duty to provide relevant information to the Garda. This murder sweeps away the comfortable notion that so long as criminals kill one another, society can turn a blind eye. Not so. Crime cannot be compartmentalised like that. We all have a duty to uphold the rule of law.
Gardaí investigating the killing have appealed for information, particularly in relation to a car used by the killers that was stolen and stored in Limerick some weeks ago. People are understandably reluctant to come forward because of the viciousness of the feuding gangs. But until the community moves to protect itself and rejects the canker that is destroying civic life, any progress is likely to be limited.
Parts of Limerick city have an unenviable reputation for deprivation and lawlessness. Years of official neglect contributed to that situation and saw the emergence of family-based gangs that have made some estates virtual "no-go" areas. In the past two years, however, plans have been laid for a major refurbishment programme and a more intensive policing regime has been instituted. More needs to be done. The Garda requires better intelligence from within the criminal confraternity. And officers must maintain a highly-visible presence on the streets to reassure vulnerable people. A co-ordinated and effective response to social and educational disadvantage is required. And health and employment services should be improved, particularly at a time of economic downturn.
Earlier this year, the Central Statistics Office reported that organised crime continues to grow and pointed to a 25 per cent increase in drug-related offences. The Criminal Assets Bureau found that criminals were becoming more adept at hiding their wealth. These are related issues. White-collar professionals are not only using recreational drugs, they are helping the gangs involved to launder their profits and hide them from the authorities. It is time that treacherous connection was severed.
A recent multi-million euro drugs seizure off the Cork coast has exposed the huge profits and the scale of trafficking involved. The supply of drugs invariably involves a growing number of sophisticated weapons. And the eruption of gangland violence becomes inevitable as individuals attempt to dominate the lucrative trade. Recent police activity in Limerick has had a moderating impact on the situation. But 14 deaths in eight years is unacceptable. Official delays in providing for the use of wire-taps in criminal prosecution cases and for the modernisation of Garda interview practices can no longer be tolerated. Such measures are balanced and reasonable. Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern should bring forward legislation as a matter of urgency.
