The cold-blooded murder of two men in Dublin yesterday has brought to 23 the number of fatal shootings arising from gangland crime this year.
The nature of the killings and the dissimilarity of the victims encapsulated the threat now posed to an ordered and civilised society by those engaged in the drugs trade. And it emphasises the urgency for a re-evaluation of measures intended to counteract drug use and organised crime.
The target of the Finglas crimes was a well-known drugs dealer and gangland boss who had been warned by the Garda Síochána that his life was in danger. But an innocent young tradesman who was working in the house at the time was also shot dead because he was a potential witness. The sheer viciousness of that action has become the stock-in-trade of drug gangs. As a result, innocent bystanders frequently have as much to fear as their intended victims. Earlier this year, Donna Cleary was shot dead while attending a party in north Dublin. Five-year-old Jordan Crawford was shot in the leg in Limerick when his uncle was the target. Keith Fitzsimons was murdered in Dublin, apparently by "mistake", in June. And, last month, Latvian Baiba Saulite was shot dead at the door of her home in a contract killing.
A great deal of time and money has been devoted to the surveillance and prosecution of gang members in Dublin, Limerick and elsewhere. And the Garda has had some successes. In spite of that, the illicit drugs trade has grown and those at the top have become very rich. Life has become cheaper. And gun-use, as offensive and defensive responses, has become part of a lawless equation. Heroin is readily available and is as cheap as ever, in spite of the seizure of two major consignments. The use of cocaine, particularly by middle-income addicts, has increased dramatically. And cannabis is the recreational drug of choice for a host of young people.
It would be easy to call for the deployment of extra gardaí and more draconian legislation and leave it at that. But the worsening social and criminal situation requires a more thoughtful and effective response. Of course Garda operations must become more focused and effective and the necessary funds must be provided to make this possible. The judicial system must play its part too. But Government measures aimed at tackling drug abuse are failing and should be reviewed.
The Drugs Action Policy Group, made up of academics, addiction experts and public health specialists, recently recommended that policing and healthcare resources should be concentrated on combating hard drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. As in Britain, a less serious view should be taken of cannabis. Such steps would not meet with universal favour but they do deserve real consideration. On top of that, more extensive rehabilitation facilities should be provided for drug addicts. And resources should be focused on breaking the cycle which sees drug abuse spread from one generation to the next. That way, the rising incidence of drug crimes may be halted.