A businessman who was held hostage with his wife and family by armed gunmen last night called on the Government to give greater support to crime victims by putting resources into counselling groups.
Gary O'Donovan said Minister for Justice Michael McDowell should make more resources available to groups such as Support After Crime Services (SACS) which was set up last January to help the victims of crime.
Mr O'Donovan was held hostage for several hours along with his then pregnant wife, Katie, and their four children at their home in Rochestown, Cork, in May 2005 by two armed men before he managed to escape and raise the alarm. Gardaí captured the two raiders.
"Unfortunately the victim is often forgotten. It's assumed that he or she will be all right so it's vital that such groups are supported," said Mr O'Donovan at the launch of SACS in Cork last night.
The owner of a chain of off-licences in Cork, Mr O'Donovan said: "Without this help and support, victims would be exposed to madness."