The Republic's murder rate is on course to reach record levels by the end of the year following a significant increase in domestic and stabbing murders as well as an upsurge in gangland violence in recent weeks, write Conor Lallyand Mark Hennessy.
Figures released by the Department of Justice reveal there were 53 murders to October 11th compared with 42 in the same period last year, which was a record year for murders. News of the increase comes as gardaí begin an investigation into the gangland murder of Dublin criminal John Daly. The 27-year-old armed robber, drug dealer and suspected murderer was gunned down close to his home at Cloonlara Drive, Finglas, at 2am yesterday.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described Daly's murder as "horrendous". He said the criminal justice system should be "less tolerant" of people who have shown no respect for others during violent attacks. "They expect us to look after their human rights and civil rights but they have no respect for others. They turn on people. They're vicious thugs and I think they have to be treated accordingly."
He said Ireland now had a gun culture to deal with and a "never ending" supply of cheap drugs from other jurisdictions. Gardaí had informed Daly he was in danger but members of the force could not "be everywhere at once", Mr Ahern said.
"The gardaí were aware and had been doing their best to thwart these issues but we're dealing with a vicious group of people. I mean these drug warlords and associated people will stop at nothing."
While gardaí had a "battle" on their hands they would "never give in". The State had to "keep on toughing the law and resourcing the gardaí".
No criminal justice system could hope to jail all of those involved in the illegal drugs trade because "enormous" sums of money can be amassed by those involved, he said.
Gardaí investigating Daly's murder say the list of suspects is "very long". He made many enemies last May when he used a smuggled mobile phone to call RTÉ's Livelineradio show from his cell in Portlaoise Prison while serving a nine-year sentence for armed robbery. The incident led to a clampdown on contraband items across the prison system.
Four years ago he shot and injured Liam McAllister, a nephew of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams. Daly was also one of three men who shot dead drug addict Patrick Sheridan (29) in Finglas in 2003. While in prison he was also suspected of organising professional hitmen to kill three members of the Westies gang in Blanchardstown, Dublin. The three were subsequently gunned down in separate attacks. He tried to establish himself as a leading criminal since being released from jail in August and in the process had clashed with a number Finglas gangland figures.