theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Woman did not die at any of nine locations where body parts were found – court

A crime scene examiner has told a murder trial that a 61-year-old grandmother did not die at any of the nine locations where her body parts were found in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains , which were used as a “ dumping ground ” for her remains .
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene ( 34 ) also heard on Friday that the results of a post-mortem examination confirmed that retired hospital worker Patricia O ’ Connor suffered a “ violent death ” .
The court has heard that the body of Mrs O ’ Connor was dismembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nine different locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains .
Mr Greene of Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia O ’ Connor at the same address on May 29th , 2017 .
Giving evidence today , Det Garda Janette O ’ Neill told prosecuting counsel Roisin Lacey SC that she was attached to the ballistics section of An Garda Síochána .
Det Gda O ’ Neill testified that she attended a scene at Old Military Road on June 11th , 2017 where part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
The torso appeared to be fresh with very little insect activity , something she would have expected if it had been there for awhile , she explained .
“ The torso part was from below the lower jaw and there were seven teeth present in the lower jaw , ” said the witness .
Det Gda O ’ Neill said she later travelled to Glenmacnass Waterfall and observed another part of the torso located among the rocks .
This part from the lower section of the body had most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong smell of decomposition , she said .
The witness said she again travelled to two scenes on June 12th , where four body parts were recovered .
Det Gda O ’ Neill said a lower left leg was found in private lands at Glenmacnass Waterfall and a right leg , right thigh or knee as well as a right upper elbow were located at Sally Gap .
On June 13th , the witness said she went to the location where seven body parts had been found on the Military Road .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in a black plastic bag and a right foot and a left arm were found nearby , she said .
A piece of a torso from between the eight and eleventh ribs was located half a kilometre away , she said .
The fourth and last part of the torso , which included part of the pelvis and thighs was found in Carrigshouk , she concluded , adding that all body parts found were later brought to Dublin City Mortuary .
It was determined on the evening of June 13th that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hands had been sawn at the wrists , she said .
Det Gda O ’ Neill said the head was badly decomposed and there appeared to be blunt force trauma to the head with a number of visible lacerations on it , she continued .
Det Gda O ’ Neill said she went back to the river at Glenmacnass on June 14th , where part of a left leg and knee had been recovered from the water .
The witness said a thong was found on the lower part of the torso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last part of the body , was located at a scene on the Military road , she added .
Det Gda O ’ Neill said it was her opinion that Mrs O ’ Connor did not die at any of the scenes where the body parts had been located but they appeared to be “ a dumping ground ” for all the pieces of her remains .
She told the court that from the results of a post-mortem examination of all the body parts , especially the head , Mrs O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The prosecution allege Mrs O ’ Connor received a minimum of three blows to the head with a solid implement at her Rathfarnham home before her body was brought in the boot of her Toyota Corolla car to Co Wexford and buried in a shallow grave .
Her remains were later dug up and the body dismembered using hacksaws and a hatchet over the course of three to four hours .
The deceased ’ s daughter Louise O ’ Connor ( 41 ) and granddaughter Stephanie O ’ Connor ( 22 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road , Dublin 14 , and Louise O ’ Connor ’ s ex-partner Keith Johnston ( 43 ) , of Avonbeg Gardens , Tallaght , Dublin 24 are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene , knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence , to wit the murder of Patricia O ’ Connor on May 29th , 2017 .
Louise O ’ Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O ’ Connor disguising herself as Patricia O ’ Connor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 on May 29th , 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O ’ Connor was dead .
Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie ’ s , Mr Price , B & Q and Shoe Zone , Tallaght , Dublin 24 on June 9th , 2017 , which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Mr Johnston also denies engaging in the refurbishment of a bathroom at Mountainview Park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 and June 9th , 2017 , in order to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Stephanie O ’ Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29th , 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead .
Mrs O ’ Connor was first reported missing on June 1 , 2017 and a number of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands , were discovered dispersed around a 30kms area later that month .
The deceased had worked at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and had retired about a year before she died .
The trial continues on Friday afternoon before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women .
It is expected to last between five and seven weeks .

The court has heard that the body of Mrs Patricia O’Connor was dismembered into 15 separate parts that were found at nine different locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.
A Central Criminal Court jury heard evidence of how a 61-year-old grandmother’s head and hands were found in a black plastic bag in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, which were used as a “dumping ground” for her remains.
The trial of Kieran Greene (34) also heard on Friday that the results of a post-mortem examination confirmed that retired hospital worker Patricia O’Connor suffered a “violent death”.
Mr Greene of Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia O’Connor at the same address on May 29th, 2017.
Forensic scientist John Hoade leaving court on Friday. Photograph: Collins Courts
Det Garda Janette ONeill leaving the court after giving evidence. Photograph: Collins Courts
A forensic scientist gave evidence that he found no blood-staining belonging to the deceased at her home in Rathfarmham, where it is alleged she received a minimum of three blows to the head with a solid implement in the downstairs bathroom.
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The court has heard that the body of Mrs O’Connor was dismembered into 15 separate parts that were found at nine different locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.
Giving evidence on Friday, Det Garda Janette O’Neill told prosecuting counsel Roisin Lacey SC that she was attached to the ballistics section of An Garda Síochána.
Det Gda O’Neill testified that she attended a scene at Old Military Road on June 11th, 2017 where part of a torso had been discovered the previous day. The torso appeared to be fresh with very little insect activity, something she would have expected if it had been there for awhile, she explained.
“The torso part was from below the lower jaw and there were seven teeth present in the lower jaw,” said the witness.
Det Gda O’Neill said she later travelled to Glenmacnass Waterfall and observed another part of the torso located amongst the rocks. This part from the lower section of the body had most of the internal organs present and there was a strong smell of decomposition, she said.
The witness said she again travelled to two scenes on June 12th, where four body parts were recovered. Det Gda O’Neill explained that a lower left leg was found in private lands at Glenmacnass Waterfall and a right leg, right thigh or knee as well as a right upper elbow were located at Sally Gap.
On June 13th, the witness said she went to the location where seven body parts had been found on the Military Road. A pair of hands and a head were found in a black plastic bag and a right foot and a left arm were found nearby, she said.
A piece of a torso from between the eight and eleventh ribs was located half a kilometre away, she said. The fourth and last part of the torso, which included part of the pelvis and thighs, was found in Carrigshouk, she concluded, adding that all body parts found were later brought to Dublin City Mortuary.
It was determined on the evening of June 13th that the body parts belonged to a female and the hands had been sawn at the wrists, she said. Det Gda O’Neill said the head was badly decomposed and there appeared to be blunt force trauma to the head with a number of visible lacerations on it, she added.
Det Gda O’Neill said she went back to the river at Glenmacnass on June 14th, where part of a left leg and knee had been recovered from the water.
A left foot, the last part of the body, was located at a scene on the Military road, she added.
Det Gda O’Neill said it was her opinion that Mrs O’Connor did not die at any of the scenes where the body parts had been located but they appeared to be “a dumping ground” for all the pieces of the remains.
She told the court that from the results of a post-mortem examination of all the body parts, especially the head, Mrs O’Connor received a “violent death”.
Det Gda O’Neill said she went to Mrs O’Connor’s home in Mountainview Park on June 15th, where it appeared attempts had been made to paint the hallway and bathroom. “I don’t know if it was a bad job or done quickly but it was not a good job,”, she remarked. She said the bathroom had also been recently tiled.
On Friday afternoon, forensic scientist John Hoade said he analysed tissue samples taken from both the post-mortem examination of the deceased’s remains and her daughter Louise O’Connor.
The DNA profile from the remains were “two million times more likely to be from the biological mother of Louise O’Connor than from somebody unrelated,” he said, adding that this result would be fully consistent with Patricia O’Connor being the mother of Louise O’Connor.
Mr Hoade said he went to the house at Mountainview Park in June 2017 to examine for the presence of blood-stains. Mr Hoade testified that he found no blood on a visual examination of the downstairs bathroom and a small front upstairs bedroom that had foil on the floor.
The witness said he used a chemical spray called “Blue Star” to see if he could find blood-staining in both rooms. He explained that the spray “lights up” in the presence of blood.
No blood was found on a number of items seized from the home at Mountainview Park.
The inside and boot of Mrs O’Connor’s Toyota Corolla car, which Mr Greene was permitted to use, was also examined for blood-staining but it produced a negative result, he explained, adding that the boot mat was missing.
Mr Hoade also examined a piece of hair found in a shallow grave in a field in Killeagh, Blackwater, Co Wexford. There was insufficient DNA present in the roots of the hair to generate a DNA profile so a sample of it was sent to the UK, he said.
Finally, Mr Hoade noted that he examined two hacksaws and a small axe taken from Dodder Valley Park in Tallaght but no blood were found on these items. Human hair was attached to the blade of one of the hacksaw’s and again this was sent to the UK for testing, he said.
Earlier, Private Barry Hannon from Cathal Brugha Barracks said he was part of a “skirmish line” along the Military Road on June 12, 2017. Two large pieces and one small piece of what looked like “butchered meat” caught his eye around six foot from the roadside, he said. He reported the find to nearby gardai.
Private John Curtis also from Cathal Brugha Barracks gave evidence that he was also part of a skirmish line on June 13th, when he noticed “a funny smell”.
“It was like a rotten meat kind of smell,” he continued, adding that there were hundreds of flies flying around what appeared to look like a torso. “I saw the bottom half of the torso and the top half of the legs and there was underwear wrapped up around the back,” he said, adding the skin was “pinky” and it looked like a pig. He agreed with Ms Lacey that he thought he could see a spine.
The prosecution allege that Mrs O’Connor received a minimum of three blows to the head with a solid implement at her Rathfarnham home before her body was brought in the boot of her Toyota Corolla car to Co Wexford and buried in a shallow grave.
Her remains were later dug up and the body dismembered using hacksaws and a hatchet over the course of three to four hours.
The deceased’s daughter Louise O’Connor (41) and granddaughter Stephanie O’Connor (22), both of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14, and Louise O’Connor’s ex-partner Keith Johnston (43), of Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin 24 are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene, knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence, to wit the murder of Patricia O’Connor on May 29th, 2017.
Louise O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O’Connor disguising herself as Patricia O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29th, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O’Connor was dead.
Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie’s, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9th, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O’Connor.
Mr Johnston also denies engaging in the refurbishment of a bathroom at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 between May 31st, 2017 and June 9th, 2017, in order to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O’Connor.
Stephanie O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29th, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead.
The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Dublin Fire Brigade deals with blaze in Swords commercial unit

Dublin Fire Brigade has put out to large a fire that broke out at an industrial site in Swords , @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The fire started as the result of an industrial accident and quickly spread @ @ @ @ @ in Kettles Lane .
In total seven Fire Brigade units attended the scene following an @ @ @ @ @ One employee working in the commercial unit at the time received injuries after the blaze @ @ @ @ @ by paramedics at the scene .
Units brought the fire under control with a turntable @ @ @ @ @ of the industrial unit to act as a water tower .
After the fire was @ @ @ @ @ the scene for a number of hours to dampen down the surrounding area .

Dublin Fire Brigade brought the blaze at an industrial estate in Swords, Co Dublin under control. File Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Dublin Fire Brigade has put out to large a fire that broke out at an industrial site in Swords, north Co Dublin on Friday morning.
The fire started as the result of an industrial accident and quickly spread through a large commercial unit in Kettles Lane.
In total seven Fire Brigade units attended the scene following an emergency call at 9.40am.
One employee working in the commercial unit at the time received injuries after the blaze broke out and was treated by paramedics at the scene.
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Units brought the fire under control with a turntable ladder raised above the roof of the industrial unit to act as a water tower.
After the fire was extinguished several units remained at the scene for a number of hours to dampen down the surrounding area.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--‘Extensive investigation’ taking place into Lunney attack – State solicitor

The State solicitor for Roscommon said he is hopeful that a file will be ready in the coming weeks for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) in relation to the investigation into the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney .
Kieran Madigan said a “ very extensive investigation ” was being carried out and that over 1,000 lines of enquiry were involved .
Mr Madigan , the State solicitor for Roscommon , told Harristown District Court in Castlerea that the case was progressing as quickly as possible .
Four men appeared before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing harm and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney in Cavan in September last year .
Judge James Faughnan was told that the four men were in custody since November 26th last year .
Darren Redmond ( 25 ) from Caledon Road , East Wall , Dublin and Alan O ’ Brien ( 38 ) of Shelmalier Road , East Wall , were remanded to appear again before Harristown District Court next Friday , January 24th .
Luke O ’ Reilly ( 66 ) from Mullahoran Lower , Kilcogy , Co Cavan , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on February 14th .
A fourth defendant , who can not be named for legal reasons , was remanded to appear before Harristown District Court next Friday .
Mr Madigan said that it was hoped to have a file ready for the DPP by the end of the month or early in February but said that it was a complex case .
He said that there were over 1,000 lines of enquiry , 400 statements and “ very extensive ” CCTV footage had been “ harvested ” and that it took considerable time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , Mr Madigan said that there was a large amount of phone data which had to be investigated .
Judge Faughnan said it was a complicated matter as he remanded three of the men in custody until next week and the fourth man until February 14th .

Kevin Lunney was abducted from outside his Co Fermanagh home and assaulted before being dumped on a road in Co Cavan last September. Photograph: BBC Spotlight
The State solicitor for Roscommon said he is hopeful that a file will be ready in the coming weeks for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the investigation into the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney.
Kieran Madigan said a "very extensive investigation" was being carried out and that over 1,000 lines of enquiry were involved.
Mr Madigan, the State solicitor for Roscommon, told Harristown District Court in Castlerea that the case was progressing as quickly as possible.
Four men appeared before the court on Friday morning charged with assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney in Cavan in September last year.
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Judge James Faughnan was told that the four men were in custody since November 26th last year.
Darren Redmond (25) from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin and Alan O'Brien (38) of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, were remanded to appear again before Harristown District Court next Friday, January 24th.
Luke O'Reilly (66) from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, was remanded to appear before the same court on February 14th.
A fourth defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded to appear before Harristown District Court next Friday.
Mr Madigan said that it was hoped to have a file ready for the DPP by the end of the month or early in February but said that it was a complex case.
He said that there were over 1,000 lines of enquiry, 400 statements and “very extensive” CCTV footage had been “harvested” and that it took considerable time to analyse all of this.
In addition, Mr Madigan said that there was a large amount of phone data which had to be investigated.
Judge Faughnan said it was a complicated matter as he remanded three of the men in custody until next week and the fourth man until February 14th.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Bloody Sunday Soldier F hearing set to be held in Belfast amid security fears

The first major hearing in the case against a British army veteran facing Bloody Sunday murder charges is set to take place in Belfast because of security fears .
The judge ’ s decision has angered families of the dead who believe he should appear in court in Derry – close to where one of the most notorious episodes of the Northern Ireland Troubles took place after soldiers opened fire .
Soldier F has been granted anonymity and has not entered the dock so far to face charges that he murdered two people during a civil rights demonstration in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose brother Willie was shot dead , said : “ What happened on Bloody Sunday happened here 200 yards from where we now stand and Soldier F should be appearing at this courthouse.
” A month-long hearing to decide whether to send the accused , now aged in his 60s , to trial and to assess the evidence against him is due to be held .
Up to 25 witnesses could be called , a lawyer for the accused told a previous court hearing .
District judge Barney McElholm said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some hall or public space .
“ There are considerations of security .
We are willing to listen to any reasonable opposition put to us .
“ At the moment , despite trying to get somewhere closer to the city , I am afraid Belfast looks like the venue.
” Bloody Sunday became one of the most notorious incidents of the Northern Ireland Troubles when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a crowd of civil rights demonstrators , killing 13 .
Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of the attempted murders of Patrick O ’ Donnell , Joseph Friel , Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn .
He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day .
On Friday , District Judge McElholm said Derry ’ s aged courthouse was limited in terms of size and acoustics .
He said : “ We have spent a lot of time looking at this and trying to get a venue providing sufficient accommodation that those who wish to attend the hearing can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are security considerations and people being able to hear what is going on.
” After Friday ’ s hearing , Ciaran Shiels , a solicitor for the McKinney family and four wounded victims , said security concerns could be addressed in the city .
He said : “ This is where the killings occurred – a stone ’ s throw from these buildings .
“ We have always been of the view that F should be attending here in person at his committal and that remains the position.
” Lawyers for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the court challenging the decision to take the hearing to Belfast .
Mr Shiels added : “ I don ’ t think security is the main issue in terms of the impetus behind this .
“ Any police officer I was speaking to has said they would far rather have these proceedings take place here than in Belfast.
” The families of those killed also oppose granting anonymity to Soldier F. The case was adjourned until February 7th .
– PA

After Friday’s hearing, Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor for the McKinney family and four wounded victims, said security concerns could be addressed in the city. File photograph: Trevor McBride
The first major hearing in the case against a British army veteran facing Bloody Sunday murder charges is set to take place in Belfast because of security fears.
The judge’s decision has angered families of the dead who believe he should appear in court in Derry – close to where one of the most notorious episodes of the Northern Ireland Troubles took place after soldiers opened fire.
Soldier F has been granted anonymity and has not entered the dock so far to face charges that he murdered two people during a civil rights demonstration in the city in January 1972.
Mickey McKinney, whose brother Willie was shot dead, said: “What happened on Bloody Sunday happened here 200 yards from where we now stand and Soldier F should be appearing at this courthouse.”
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A month-long hearing to decide whether to send the accused, now aged in his 60s, to trial and to assess the evidence against him is due to be held.
Up to 25 witnesses could be called, a lawyer for the accused told a previous court hearing.
District judge Barney McElholm said: “We cannot convene this in just some hall or public space.
“There are considerations of security. We are willing to listen to any reasonable opposition put to us.
“At the moment, despite trying to get somewhere closer to the city, I am afraid Belfast looks like the venue.”
Bloody Sunday became one of the most notorious incidents of the Northern Ireland Troubles when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a crowd of civil rights demonstrators, killing 13.
Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and Mr McKinney.
The former paratrooper also stands accused of the attempted murders of Patrick O’Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn.
He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day.
On Friday, District Judge McElholm said Derry’s aged courthouse was limited in terms of size and acoustics.
He said: “We have spent a lot of time looking at this and trying to get a venue providing sufficient accommodation that those who wish to attend the hearing can do so in reasonable comfort, also there are security considerations and people being able to hear what is going on.”
After Friday’s hearing, Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor for the McKinney family and four wounded victims, said security concerns could be addressed in the city.
He said: “This is where the killings occurred – a stone’s throw from these buildings.
“We have always been of the view that F should be attending here in person at his committal and that remains the position.”
Lawyers for the families have two weeks to make submissions to the court challenging the decision to take the hearing to Belfast.
Mr Shiels added: “I don’t think security is the main issue in terms of the impetus behind this.
“Any police officer I was speaking to has said they would far rather have these proceedings take place here than in Belfast.”
The families of those killed also oppose granting anonymity to Soldier F.
The case was adjourned until February 7th. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Varadkar defends Fine Gael’s record on law and order on visit to Drogheda

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to put the people responsible for the murder of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods in Drogheda ’ s gangland feud behind bars .
Speaking alongside Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan during a visit to the Co Louth town on Friday morning , Mr Varadkar expressed his “ revulsion and condemnation ” of the killing of the 17-year-old whose body was dismembered and left in different parts of Dublin on Monday .
He said he had come to the town , which has been at the centre of the two-year-old criminal feud , “ to assure the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent behind them and we are going to get these people behind bars and that we are going to make this town safe again.
” The killing of the teenager and Monday ’ s gun attack on an innocent taxi driver near the Garda station in the town has marked a serious escalation in the feud .
This week ’ s violence has , in the first week of the General Election campaign , turned a spotlight on Fine Gael ’ s record on fighting crime , making it a major issue ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach and Mr Flanagan travelled to Drogheda to meet senior gardaí in the town investigating the feud between two criminal gangs and to receive an update on the investigation .
Their meeting lasted an hour and a half .
Asked what he would say to people of Drogheda fearful of walking the town ’ s streets because of the increased feud violence , Mr Flanagan said they were visiting Drogheda to offer reassurance to people .
There had been an increase in police resources in the town , he said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There has been an ongoing and intensification Garda investigation .
I ’ m satisfied from talking to the Garda Commissioner as recently as yesterday that progress is being made , ” he said .
“ This brutal murder must be seen as a line in the sand as far as gangland criminals are concerned and our message is there is no hiding place here in Drogheda or across the country.
” The Taoiseach said what would reassure people was the increased Garda presence : there had been a 50 per cent increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he promised more .
“ I would hope that me being here with the Minister of Justice is a gesture of solidarity and a gesture of support , and that people will see it as such , ” he said .
But what would really reassure people were arrests and convictions , he said , and he urged people to come forward with information as evidence was needed to achieve this .
“ The Garda need information on people to bring that information forward or agree to become witnesses will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varadkar defended his Government ’ s record on law and order , saying that homicides , murders and manslaughters had fallen by 40 per cent during his time as Taoiseach , which he attributed to the increased resources the Fine Gael-led government had invested in policing .
“ Fine Gael is the party of law and order , and people know that .
We are the party that has restored Garda recruitment , that has given the gardaí more resources that ever before , a budget of €1.9 billion for this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous Fianna Fáil-led government for reducing Garda numbers before Fine Gael took office in 2011 .
His party had pledged to recruit an additional 700 gardaí recruits every year , bringing the police force to 21,000 people by next year .
“ The previous government , not run by my party , stopped Garda recruitment , we have resumed it , ” he said .
Armed support units in every region and a national drugs and serious crime bureau that did not exist before were “ proving results , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can eliminate crime and murders entirely .
But we have to make sure that where they occur , that there ’ s a swift response , that people are brought to justice and that ’ s what we are going to do , ” he said .
There was anger among people on the streets at the Government ’ s response to the feud with many feeling that not enough had been done to police the town .
Some said they would change their vote in the February 8th election because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The resources aren ’ t there .
It is no good bringing kids into the town .
That ’ s all it is : kids out of Templemore , ” said Mark Kerr , referring to the new Garda recruits assigned to Drogheda .
“ People , walking down the town , are afraid of their lives and looking behind them all the time .
What can you do ?
People have to get on their lives but you can ’ t go out the door but be afraid.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí in this town .
These gangs seem to feel like they can shoot this town up like it ’ s the Wild West and get away with it .
It is a disgrace , ” said David Saurin , putting change into a parking meter on West Street in the centre of Drogheda .
The Government had not made a difference in trying to end the feud , he said , and he didn ’ t “ see what difference they will make if they get back into power.
” “ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Labour leader Brendan Howlin , speaking at a campaign event for his party in Drogheda , said that a more joined-up , multi-agency approach was needed to end the town ’ s gangland feud and with the “ intensity ” of policing that led to the demise of criminal gangs in Limerick .
“ The notion that you would take 50 gardaí fresh out of training college and put them on the streets here as if that ’ s a solution , ” Mr Howlin told reporters in response to Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding extra gardaí in Drogheda .
“ That is not the way that you need to approach this .
You certainly need Garda numbers but you also need sophisticated interventions , people embedded in intelligence , getting community involvement , understanding what is going on.
” Mr Howlin said the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods had “ shocked all of us to our core ” and that “ all of us are determined that we will see down this domestic terrorism.
” Meanwhile , at an election campaign event in Dublin , People Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the war and drugs has failed .
The law and order approach has failed.
” Speaking after the latest shooting of two people in Ballymun he described the recent spate of attacks as “ horrific and shocking ” .
The Dún Laoghaire TD said there was no “ quick fix ” to the problem because it was a global issue .
“ We are failing our young people .
We ’ re not putting our resources in schools and communities at the very earliest age to provide alternatives and support that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said “ you can ’ t deal with the demand for drugs with a Garda response ” and it had to be treated as a health issue .
“ I don ’ t think you can blame somebody for causing gangland crime through ( recreational ) drugs on a Saturday night .
I think you have to deal with the causes of drug abuse which are very much social and class-based.
” Ms Coppinger , whose Dublin West constituency has experienced shooting incidents and criminal activity , said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social drugs use was enabling crime because it was people would not “ just suddenly stop using drugs ” .
Rather than leaving drugs in the hands of criminals , “ there has to be significant discussion in society in providing people with an addiction to drugs if that is going to stop people ” engaging in drugs crime .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to put the people responsible for the murder of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods in Drogheda’s gangland feud behind bars.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to put the people responsible for the murder of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods in Drogheda's gangland feud behind bars.
Speaking alongside Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan during a visit to the Co Louth town on Friday morning, Mr Varadkar expressed his "revulsion and condemnation" of the killing of the 17-year-old whose body was dismembered and left in different parts of Dublin on Monday.
He said he had come to the town, which has been at the centre of the two-year-old criminal feud, "to assure the people of Drogheda that the Government is 100 per cent behind them and we are going to get these people behind bars and that we are going to make this town safe again."
The killing of the teenager and Monday’s gun attack on an innocent taxi driver near the Garda station in the town has marked a serious escalation in the feud.
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This week’s violence has, in the first week of the General Election campaign, turned a spotlight on Fine Gael’s record on fighting crime, making it a major issue ahead of voting on February 8th.
The Taoiseach and Mr Flanagan travelled to Drogheda to meet senior gardaí in the town investigating the feud between two criminal gangs and to receive an update on the investigation. Their meeting lasted an hour and a half.
Asked what he would say to people of Drogheda fearful of walking the town’s streets because of the increased feud violence, Mr Flanagan said they were visiting Drogheda to offer reassurance to people. There had been an increase in police resources in the town, he said.
“This has been a brutal and heinous crime. There has been an ongoing and intensification Garda investigation. I’m satisfied from talking to the Garda Commissioner as recently as yesterday that progress is being made,” he said.
“This brutal murder must be seen as a line in the sand as far as gangland criminals are concerned and our message is there is no hiding place here in Drogheda or across the country.”
The Taoiseach said what would reassure people was the increased Garda presence: there had been a 50 per cent increase in Garda numbers, 50 more gardaí, and he promised more.
“I would hope that me being here with the Minister of Justice is a gesture of solidarity and a gesture of support, and that people will see it as such,” he said.
But what would really reassure people were arrests and convictions, he said, and he urged people to come forward with information as evidence was needed to achieve this.
“The Garda need information on people to bring that information forward or agree to become witnesses will be protected,” he said.
Mr Varadkar defended his Government’s record on law and order, saying that homicides, murders and manslaughters had fallen by 40 per cent during his time as Taoiseach, which he attributed to the increased resources the Fine Gael-led government had invested in policing.
"Fine Gael is the party of law and order, and people know that. We are the party that has restored Garda recruitment, that has given the gardaí more resources that ever before, a budget of €1.9 billion for this year," he replied.
He criticised the previous Fianna Fáil-led government for reducing Garda numbers before Fine Gael took office in 2011. His party had pledged to recruit an additional 700 gardaí recruits every year, bringing the police force to 21,000 people by next year.
“The previous government, not run by my party, stopped Garda recruitment, we have resumed it,” he said.
Armed support units in every region and a national drugs and serious crime bureau that did not exist before were “proving results,” he said.
“But that doesn’t mean that you can eliminate crime and murders entirely. But we have to make sure that where they occur, that there’s a swift response, that people are brought to justice and that’s what we are going to do,” he said.
There was anger among people on the streets at the Government’s response to the feud with many feeling that not enough had been done to police the town. Some said they would change their vote in the February 8th election because of the Government’s policing response.
“The resources aren’t there. It is no good bringing kids into the town. That’s all it is: kids out of Templemore,” said Mark Kerr, referring to the new Garda recruits assigned to Drogheda.
“People, walking down the town, are afraid of their lives and looking behind them all the time. What can you do? People have to get on their lives but you can’t go out the door but be afraid.”
“There are still insufficient resources for the gardaí in this town. These gangs seem to feel like they can shoot this town up like it’s the Wild West and get away with it. It is a disgrace,” said David Saurin, putting change into a parking meter on West Street in the centre of Drogheda.
The Government had not made a difference in trying to end the feud, he said, and he didn’t “see what difference they will make if they get back into power.”
“They have had enough time,” he said.
Labour leader Brendan Howlin, speaking at a campaign event for his party in Drogheda, said that a more joined-up, multi-agency approach was needed to end the town’s gangland feud and with the “intensity” of policing that led to the demise of criminal gangs in Limerick.
“The notion that you would take 50 gardaí fresh out of training college and put them on the streets here as if that’s a solution,” Mr Howlin told reporters in response to Mr Varadkar’s comments on the Government adding extra gardaí in Drogheda.
“That is not the way that you need to approach this. You certainly need Garda numbers but you also need sophisticated interventions, people embedded in intelligence, getting community involvement, understanding what is going on.”
Mr Howlin said the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods had “shocked all of us to our core” and that “all of us are determined that we will see down this domestic terrorism.”
Meanwhile, at an election campaign event in Dublin, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett has said “ the war and drugs has failed. The law and order approach has failed.”
Speaking after the latest shooting of two people in Ballymun he described the recent spate of attacks as “horrific and shocking”.
The Dún Laoghaire TD said there was no “quick fix” to the problem because it was a global issue. “We are failing our young people. We’re not putting our resources in schools and communities at the very earliest age to provide alternatives and support that will help divert young people from criminality.”
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said “you can’t deal with the demand for drugs with a Garda response” and it had to be treated as a health issue.
“I don’t think you can blame somebody for causing gangland crime through (recreational) drugs on a Saturday night. I think you have to deal with the causes of drug abuse which are very much social and class-based.”
Ms Coppinger, whose Dublin West constituency has experienced shooting incidents and criminal activity, said it was “just ridiculous” to say social drugs use was enabling crime because it was people would not “just suddenly stop using drugs”.
Rather than leaving drugs in the hands of criminals, “there has to be significant discussion in society in providing people with an addiction to drugs if that is going to stop people” engaging in drugs crime.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Council sued by ‘vulnerable’ homeless couple seeking housing supports

A homeless couple aged in their 60s and with significant health problems have sued South Dublin County Council in an effort to compel it to decide their application for social housing support .
The couple , from Romania , are illiterate , do not speak English , and medical reports show they are “ extremely vulnerable ” and not suitable for emergency accommodation on a night by night basis , their counsel Siobhán Phelan SC told the High Court on Friday .
Both have suffered cancer conditions in the past and have a range of ongoing health issues , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Free Legal Advice Centres ( Flac ) in applying to the council for housing supports .
In a letter to the council , the man told it : “ Please help me as soon as possible , we don ’ t have anywhere to go.
” The couple have been here since 2006 and became homeless in 2018 after a notice of termination issued for their private rented accommodation , where they had lived from 2011 with their extended family .
The termination notice came after that house was possessed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were offered emergency accommodation on a night to night basis but left that after three nights because of regularly being subjected to anti-social behaviour .
They also found it unsuitable to their needs , particularly their health needs , and have instead been staying with a relative in cramped conditions .
She has no bed space for them and they sleep on a couch .
They want to be able to stay in accommodation close to their extended family , Ms Phelan said .
Represented by Ms Phelan , with Lewis J Mooney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple have sought orders , in judicial review proceedings , compelling the council to decide their January 2019 application for housing supports .
Ms Phelan said the council was legally obliged to decide that within 12 weeks and Flac went to “ every appropriate length ” to afford the council an opportunity to make a decision before securing leave for judicial review in July 2019 .
The couple ’ s case is that the council has a mandatory obligation under sections 19 and 20 under the Housing Act , and under the relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 weeks if no additional information is required .
No such information was sought , Ms Phelan said .
The council ’ s failure to decide the application amounted to a breach of duty , including statutory duty and unreasonable and irrational exercise of statutory power , she submitted .
Contrary to what the council argued , the January 2019 application was a “ fresh ” application which had to be decided within 12 weeks , she said .
She also disputed the couple ’ s work record had any relevance to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in receipt of disability benefit and that other councils had provided social housing supports to non-Irish nationals who did not have 52 weeks employment here .
The council , represented by Conleth Bradley SC , with Karen Denning BL , opposes the proceedings which came before Mr Justice Michael McGrath on Friday .
It says the 2011 social housing assessment regulations provide that it decides the eligibility of a social housing application .
It says it had in March 2017 received an undated and unsigned application from the couple for social housing which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volume of applications and then ongoing legal proceedings concerning a Department of Housing circular setting guidelines for assessing social housing by non-Irish nationals .
Those proceedings later settled on confidential terms .
It maintains it had not “ refused ” the couple ’ s application and they were told in January 2018 it could not carry out a full assessment of their application at that time but it might be considered when they could provide details of 52 weeks employment in the State .
Because the applicants had not challenged that January 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relief sought , it says .
They were out of time to challenge the January 2018 decision and not entitled to more time to bring a challenge .
No new decision was issued by it in January 2019 , it says .
It also says , because no clarification has been received from the Department of Housing concerning the circular for assessing applications for social housing support from non-Irish nationals , it remains bound by that circular .
The hearing has been adjourned , to resume on January 31st .

Council says the 2011 social housing assessment regulations provide that it decides the eligibility of a social housing application. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
A homeless couple aged in their 60s and with significant health problems have sued South Dublin County Council in an effort to compel it to decide their application for social housing support.
The couple, from Romania, are illiterate, do not speak English, and medical reports show they are “extremely vulnerable” and not suitable for emergency accommodation on a night by night basis, their counsel Siobhán Phelan SC told the High Court on Friday.
Both have suffered cancer conditions in the past and have a range of ongoing health issues, the court heard.
They were assisted by the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac) in applying to the council for housing supports.
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In a letter to the council, the man told it: “Please help me as soon as possible, we don’t have anywhere to go.”
The couple have been here since 2006 and became homeless in 2018 after a notice of termination issued for their private rented accommodation, where they had lived from 2011 with their extended family. The termination notice came after that house was possessed by a bank, the court heard.
They were offered emergency accommodation on a night to night basis but left that after three nights because of regularly being subjected to anti-social behaviour.
They also found it unsuitable to their needs, particularly their health needs, and have instead been staying with a relative in cramped conditions. She has no bed space for them and they sleep on a couch.
They want to be able to stay in accommodation close to their extended family, Ms Phelan said.
Represented by Ms Phelan, with Lewis J Mooney BL, instructed by Flac, the couple have sought orders, in judicial review proceedings, compelling the council to decide their January 2019 application for housing supports.
Ms Phelan said the council was legally obliged to decide that within 12 weeks and Flac went to “every appropriate length” to afford the council an opportunity to make a decision before securing leave for judicial review in July 2019.
The couple’s case is that the council has a mandatory obligation under sections 19 and 20 under the Housing Act, and under the relevant regulations, to assess the application within 12 weeks if no additional information is required. No such information was sought, Ms Phelan said.
The council’s failure to decide the application amounted to a breach of duty, including statutory duty and unreasonable and irrational exercise of statutory power, she submitted.
Contrary to what the council argued, the January 2019 application was a “fresh” application which had to be decided within 12 weeks, she said.
She also disputed the couple’s work record had any relevance to their application, noting they are EU nationals in receipt of disability benefit and that other councils had provided social housing supports to non-Irish nationals who did not have 52 weeks employment here.
The council, represented by Conleth Bradley SC, with Karen Denning BL, opposes the proceedings which came before Mr Justice Michael McGrath on Friday.
It says the 2011 social housing assessment regulations provide that it decides the eligibility of a social housing application.
It says it had in March 2017 received an undated and unsigned application from the couple for social housing which was not processed for reasons including the volume of applications and then ongoing legal proceedings concerning a Department of Housing circular setting guidelines for assessing social housing by non-Irish nationals. Those proceedings later settled on confidential terms.
It maintains it had not “refused” the couple’s application and they were told in January 2018 it could not carry out a full assessment of their application at that time but it might be considered when they could provide details of 52 weeks employment in the State.
Because the applicants had not challenged that January 2018 decision, they were not entitled to the relief sought, it says. They were out of time to challenge the January 2018 decision and not entitled to more time to bring a challenge. No new decision was issued by it in January 2019, it says.
It also says, because no clarification has been received from the Department of Housing concerning the circular for assessing applications for social housing support from non-Irish nationals, it remains bound by that circular.
The hearing has been adjourned, to resume on January 31st.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Murder investigation begins following death of man (25) in Armagh

Detectives have begun a murder investigation following the death of a 25-year-old man in Co Armagh .
A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident in the Lake Road area of Craigavon on Thursday night .
Police said a postmortem would now be carried out .
Officers said residents in the Lake Road/Clonmeen areas were likely to face disruption through Friday as investigations continued .
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart described the incident as shocking .
“ This is obviously a very sad situation for the family of the deceased man and my thoughts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the DUP representative .
“ A young life cut off in its prime .
“ The police should be commended once again for the speed with which they have moved with the investigation .
“ They should be given the space to conduct their work .
“ It is shocking to wake up to the news that another life has been needlessly taken .
“ I appeal to anyone with information to contact the police via the 101 non-emergency number or anonymously on the confidential phone number.
” Sinn Féin Assembly member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tragic news about the discovery of a man ’ s body in the Lake Road area of Craigavon last night.
” He urged anyone with information to contact the police.–PA

The PSNI said a postmortem would now be carried out
Detectives have begun a murder investigation following the death of a 25-year-old man in Co Armagh.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident in the Lake Road area of Craigavon on Thursday night.
Police said a postmortem would now be carried out.
Officers said residents in the Lake Road/Clonmeen areas were likely to face disruption through Friday as investigations continued.
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Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart described the incident as shocking.
“This is obviously a very sad situation for the family of the deceased man and my thoughts are with them at this time,” said the DUP representative.
“A young life cut off in its prime.
“The police should be commended once again for the speed with which they have moved with the investigation.
“They should be given the space to conduct their work.
“It is shocking to wake up to the news that another life has been needlessly taken.
“I appeal to anyone with information to contact the police via the 101 non-emergency number or anonymously on the confidential phone number.”
Sinn Féin Assembly member John O’Dowd said: “Tragic news about the discovery of a man’s body in the Lake Road area of Craigavon last night.”
He urged anyone with information to contact the police.–PA


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Boy B’s appeal hearing in Ana Kriégel case to take place in April

One of the teenage boys found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Ana Kriégel will seek to have his conviction overturned on April 24th .
The 15-year-old , referred to in court as Boy B , was unanimously found guilty of murdering the schoolgirl last June and was sentenced to 15 years detention , to be reviewed after eight years .
Boy A and Boy B , whose identities can not be published as they are children , were just 13-years-old when they murdered the 14-year-old in May 2018 .
Boy B lured Ana from her home , knowing that his friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derelict house in St Catherine ’ s Park in Lucan , Dublin .
He gave several different versions of events to gardaí , but eventually admitted seeing Boy A attacking Ana .
Now aged 15 , they were unanimously found guilty of murder by a Central Criminal Court jury last June .
Boy A was also convicted of Ana ’ s aggravated sexual assault in a manner that involved serious violence .
Boy A was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years , and eight years imprisonment for aggravated sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his behalf .
Boy B is seeking to appeal against his conviction only , meaning no appeal is being sought against the severity of his sentence .
During case management procedures in the Court of Appeal on Friday , April 24th was fixed as an early hearing date for Boy B ’ s conviction appeal .
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham said arrangements would be put in place for the hearing that both sides consider appropriate .
As both boys were children , the Central Criminal Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court , which saw lawyers and judges wearing suits and ties rather than gowns .
Counsel for Boy B , Damien Colgan SC , said breaks were taken during the course of the trial on account of the boys ’ ages .
Mr Colgan said he expected the appeal hearing to take a day .
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions , Brendan Grehan SC , said two grounds of appeal identified by Boy B ’ s lawyers were “ fairly straightforward ” but another ground of appeal “ might take longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified a number of issues that would be argued as grounds of appeal , and he asked for the entirety of the transcript of the 42-day trial to be released so “ we can start working ” on them .
Mr Grehan said the case had attracted media interest that was “ above and beyond ” what was usual and the trial judge , Mr Justice Paul McDermott , had restricted the media ’ s representation in court during the trial .
Mr Justice Birmingham listed the case for mention on March 13th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would be put in place .
Boy B was not present in court for the case management procedure .
He is currently detained in Oberstown Children Detention Campus and there are already processes in place for his direct transfer to court for the appeal hearing , the court heard .
The earliest possible release date for Boy B is in June 2027 .
Sentencing the boys last year , Mr Justice McDermott said that the boys ’ first period in detention would last until they were 18 , when they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice McDermott ordered that reports on the boys ’ engagement with educational , psychological and psychiatric services be prepared to assist those taking over their custody .
Reports should then be prepared at two year intervals , chronicling what has happened , which would be available to the courts at the time of their review , the judge said .
After the boys ’ transfer to adult prisons in 2022 , reports should be submitted in 2024 , 2026 and 2028 , he said .
“ They are not reports for the purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the courts to have a very clear view of what ’ s happened during the course of their detention.
” How both boys faced up to their culpability while in custody would be a factor in determining how long they would eventually end up being detained , Mr Justice McDermott stated .

One of the teenage boys found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Ana Kriégel will seek to have his conviction overturned on April 24th.
The 15-year-old, referred to in court as Boy B, was unanimously found guilty of murdering the schoolgirl last June and was sentenced to 15 years detention, to be reviewed after eight years.
Boy A and Boy B, whose identities cannot be published as they are children, were just 13-years-old when they murdered the 14-year-old in May 2018.
Boy B lured Ana from her home, knowing that his friend was waiting to attack her in a derelict house in St Catherine’s Park in Lucan, Dublin. He gave several different versions of events to gardaí, but eventually admitted seeing Boy A attacking Ana.
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Now aged 15, they were unanimously found guilty of murder by a Central Criminal Court jury last June. Boy A was also convicted of Ana’s aggravated sexual assault in a manner that involved serious violence.
Boy A was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years, and eight years imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault. No appeal has been lodged on his behalf.
Boy B is seeking to appeal against his conviction only, meaning no appeal is being sought against the severity of his sentence.
During case management procedures in the Court of Appeal on Friday, April 24th was fixed as an early hearing date for Boy B’s conviction appeal.
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham said arrangements would be put in place for the hearing that both sides consider appropriate. As both boys were children, the Central Criminal Court adopted procedures from the Children’s Court, which saw lawyers and judges wearing suits and ties rather than gowns.
Counsel for Boy B, Damien Colgan SC, said breaks were taken during the course of the trial on account of the boys’ ages. Mr Colgan said he expected the appeal hearing to take a day.
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Grehan SC, said two grounds of appeal identified by Boy B’s lawyers were “fairly straightforward” but another ground of appeal “might take longer”.
Mr Colgan said he had identified a number of issues that would be argued as grounds of appeal, and he asked for the entirety of the transcript of the 42-day trial to be released so “we can start working” on them.
Mr Grehan said the case had attracted media interest that was “above and beyond” what was usual and the trial judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, had restricted the media’s representation in court during the trial.
Mr Justice Birmingham listed the case for mention on March 13th “to take stock” of arrangements that would be put in place.
Boy B was not present in court for the case management procedure. He is currently detained in Oberstown Children Detention Campus and there are already processes in place for his direct transfer to court for the appeal hearing, the court heard. The earliest possible release date for Boy B is in June 2027.
Sentencing the boys last year, Mr Justice McDermott said that the boys’ first period in detention would last until they were 18, when they will be transferred to an adult facility.
Mr Justice McDermott ordered that reports on the boys’ engagement with educational, psychological and psychiatric services be prepared to assist those taking over their custody.
Reports should then be prepared at two year intervals, chronicling what has happened, which would be available to the courts at the time of their review, the judge said.
After the boys’ transfer to adult prisons in 2022, reports should be submitted in 2024, 2026 and 2028, he said.
“They are not reports for the purpose of micro-managing the sentences, it is for the courts to have a very clear view of what’s happened during the course of their detention.”
How both boys faced up to their culpability while in custody would be a factor in determining how long they would eventually end up being detained, Mr Justice McDermott stated.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Flu kills 44 people as hundreds wait on trolleys in hospitals

Forty-four people have now died from the flu this winter , with people aged over 65 the worst hit by the virus .
Last week , 609 people were hospitalised with the flu , with the highest rates among those aged over 65 and in children under five .
Five influenza-associated deaths were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre during the second week of January .
Meanwhile there were 518 patients waiting on trolleys in hospital emergency departments or on wards on Friday morning , according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on trolleys in emergency departments , while 155 were in wards elsewhere in the hospital .
Cork University Hospital had the highest number of patients on trolleys ( 55 ) , followed by University Hospital Galway ( 49 ) and University Hospital Limerick ( 46 ) .
The director of the National Virus Laboratory , Dr Cillian de Gascun , has warned people who contract the novovirus also known as the winter vomiting bug not to go to work or school as it is extremely contagious .
It is a “ hardy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , he said , advising people to disinfect all surfaces and change bed linen .
“ Ideally people should stay at home or run the risk of infecting other people , ” he told RTÉ ’ s Seán O ’ Rourke show .
Separately , the HSE ’ s assistant national director for health protection , Dr Kevin Kelleher has issued an appeal to university students to get the mumps vaccine before they return to college .
Dr Kelleher said there has been a rise in the number of young people contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a consequence of the large percentage of 15-30 year olds who do not have full cover .
At least two doses of the vaccines are required for immunity , he said .
These are usually administered at 12 months and then again on entering primary school .
However , between 2002 and 2003 vaccination levels dropped to 70 per cent and as low as 50 per cent in some parts of the country .
“ A large portion of this age group doesn ’ t have full coverage , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted the Union of Students in Ireland ( USI ) to urge students to check on the status of their immunisation record as the vaccine can still be administered .
“ We are trying to ensure that it [ mumps ] doesn ’ t carry on and affect their performance during exams , ” Dr Kelleher added .

There were 518 patients on trolleys in emergency departments or on wards on Friday morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. File photograph: Alan Betson
Forty-four people have died from the flu this winter, with those aged over 65 the worst hit by the virus.
Last week 609 people were hospitalised with the illness, with the highest rates among those aged over 65 and children under five. A total of five influenza-associated deaths were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre during the second week of January.
Meanwhile, there were 518 patients waiting on trolleys in hospital emergency departments or on wards on Friday morning, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
The INMO said 363 people were waiting on trolleys in emergency departments, while 155 were in wards elsewhere in the hospital.
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Cork University Hospital had the highest number of patients on trolleys (55), followed by University Hospital Galway (49) and University Hospital Limerick (46).
When is the ‘flu season’?
Dr John Cuddihy, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said flu rates had been declining since a peak during December but were due to rise again in the coming weeks.
“Flu season runs from October to May so it is not too late for people to get the flu vaccine,” he said.
“There have been 44 flu-associated deaths to date. We would expect to see between 250 and 500 flu-related deaths each season and this could rise to 1,000 deaths if it was a particularly bad season.
“Our advice for those who have the flu is to stay at home until their symptoms have gone, which would usually be after five to seven days, in order to avoid spreading the virus to other people.
“At-risk groups, such as those with a chronic illness, a low immune system and pregnant women, if they believe they have flu symptoms they should make contact with their GP by phone rather than going into the surgery.”
Separately, the HSE's assistant national director for health protection, Dr Kevin Kelleher, has issued an appeal to university students to get the mumps vaccine before they return to college.
Dr Kelleher said there had been a rise in the number of young people contracting the disease over the past 15-18 months.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Two men seriously wounded in north Dublin gun attack

Two men have been arrested after two other men were injured in a shooting attack in north Dublin on Friday @ @ @ @ @ at 11.30am at Killeek Lane in St Margaret ’ s , between Ballymun and Swords @ @ @ @ @ men were shot and very seriously injured .
One of those injured is believed to @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí later said the two victims were brought to Beaumont and Blanchardstown hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ have been arrested under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939 .

Gardaí at the scene of the shooting at an industrial estate on Killeen Lane in the St Margaret’s area Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Two men wounded in Dublin’s latest gangland attack remain seriously ill in hospital having been shot several times in what gardai believe was a well-planned ambush by experienced criminals.
The attack was being linked to a gangland dispute between criminals based in the Baldoyle and Coolock areas of north Dublin and was being treated as a botched murder attempt.
Garda sources while both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and one of them remained critical. One of the men was shot up to five times, including to the head.
Shortly after the attack in St Margaret’s, north Co Dublin, at 11.30am the suspected getaway car was discovered on fire on Greenwood Avenue, Coolock, north Dublin, about 13km from the crime scene.
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Gardaí arrested two men close to the scene of the burning Black Citroen C4 car, registration 151 D 34526. Gardai have appealed to anyone who may have seen that vehicle in the vicinity of the shooting scene or where the car was set on fire to contact them at Swords Garda station.
The arrested men remained in custody on Friday night and were being questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
They are both suspected of involvement in past gangland shootings and one of them was previously wounded in a gang-related shooting.
Both are in their 30s and are from north Dublin. One has more than 80 convictions, including for drug dealing, while the other more than 20 previous convictions.
Major crime gang
The two men in custoday are linked to the leader of a major crime gang based in north Dublin and who has of late been associated with one side in the Drogheda feud.
However, a Garda statement on Friday night said the shooting is not linked to the murder of Keane Mulready Woods (17) in Drogheda last weekend.
The men wounded in the attack are both involved in the haulage sector. They were sitting in a blue Mercedes car outside a business premises on an industrial estate off Killeek Lane when a car arrived carrying a gunman, who walked up their car and opened fire.
The attackers then drove from the scene as the emergency services were called for the injured men.
The victims were attended to by paramedics at the crime scene before being taken to Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.
Gardai were intitially concerned the man who suffered the head wound would not survive. However, his prognosis has now improved, though he remained critical. The other man is also expected to survive.
The man wounded in the head is a 39-year-old from north east Dublin. He had previously been banned from being a truck driver in both Ireland and Britain for breaching safety rules.
His last conviction was recorded a decade ago and related to trespassing on a construction site. He had previously been convicted of theft and also has a conviction for a series of cheque frauds for modest amounts and for which he was given a suspended jail term.
The two suspects being held in north Dublin Garda stations last night can be questioned for up to 72 hours without charge.
While efforts had been made to burn out the suspected getaway vehicle in an apparent bid to destroy forensic evidence, some of the car remained intact and gardaí were hopeful it would yield evidence
The car was taken away for forensic testing by the members of the Garda Technical Bureau. The scene of the shooting also remained sealed off throughout Friday and was being examined by crime scene investigators.


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Thousands of teachers to strike on February 4th

Up to 1,100 second-level schools , institutes of technology , technological universities and centres of further education may have to close on February 4th – just days before the general election – due to a strike by thousands of teachers .
The Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) said its 19,000 members were to stage a one-day stoppage on Tuesday , February 4th , over what it described as the Government ’ s “ ongoing failure to eliminate the injustice of pay discrimination ” .
The union said it wanted to make the issue of the two-tier pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue ” .
The union represents some 19,000 members in more than 1,100 second-level schools , colleges of further and adult education , and institutes of technology/technological universities .
It will be up to management in each of these to decide on whether they should be shut for the strike on February 4th .
However , the union expects it is likely a significant number of these will close as a consequence of the strike by TUI members .
In October , TUI members voted by 92 per cent to 8 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up to and including strike action , over the two-tier pay system in schools .
The union said although its campaign over the two-tier pay issue had resulted in progress , “ those teachers employed after 1st January 2011 will still earn some €110,000 less than longer-serving colleagues over the course of a career ” .
“ Critically , they will earn over €50,000 less in the first ten years of their career when key life choices are made ” , the union said .
TUI president Seamus Lahart said on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to us to bring this matter to resolution and have been left with no choice but to take strike action over the ongoing scandal of pay discrimination .
“ Regrettably , the commitment made by Minister for Education Joe McHugh last April that the issue of pay inequality would finally be addressed has not been honoured , ” he said .
The approach of the Minister and his Government since then has been to completely ignore the issue in the hope that it would somehow disappear , ” Mr Lahart said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ action shows , this short-sighted approach has only served to strengthen the resolve of our members .
We are making it clear today that our campaign will continue until pay discrimination has been eliminated .
”

Teachers’ Union of Ireland: Two-tier pay structure has seen service to students damaged. File photograph: The Irish Times
Up to 1,100 second-level schools, institutes of technology, technological universities and centres of further education may have to close on February 4th – just days before the general election – due to a strike by thousands of teachers.
The Teachers'Union of Ireland (TUI) said its 19,000 members were to stage a one-day stoppage on Tuesday, February 4th, over what it described as the Government's "ongoing failure to eliminate the injustice of pay discrimination".
The union said it wanted to make the issue of the two-tier pay system in schools a “key election issue”.
The union represents 19,000 members in more than 1,100 second-level schools, colleges of further and adult education, and institutes of technology/technological universities.
READ MORE
Another union representing second level teachers, the ASTI, said that its central executive council would meet on Saturday, January 25th to consider the pay issue.
“We will take whatever action is necessary to ensure there is a resolution”, it said.
It will be up to management in each of education facilities with members of the TUI on the staff to decide on whether they should be shut for the strike on February 4th.
However, the union expects it is likely a significant number of these will close as a consequence of the strike by TUI members.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it would be regrettable if the teachers go ahead with their decision to strike.
“We have a deal with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on restoring pay for new entrants and it is being implemented,” he said.
“It is an absolute certainty that when the new Government takes up office that we will want to negotiate a new deal for public servants because the existing deal expires at the end of the month anyway.”
The Department of Education said on Friday that the Government had given a commitment to deal with outstanding issues relating to new entrant teachers either in the context of any pay review mechanism agreed by the parties to the current public service agreement or in the context of the next round of pay talks.
The Department of Education said this commitment remained in place.
“The positions of each of the parties on these matters must be given due regard in endeavouring to reach a mutually agreed resolution.”
“The matter of new entrant pay is a cross-sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector”, it said.
There had been preliminary discussions between the Government and tradeunions about a sectoral bargaining process in different parts of the public service -- which could try to examine issues such as pay for recent entrants -- and which would feed into to negotiations on a successor to the current public service agreement.
Unions had wanted such a process to get under way in January . However given the general election, the prospect of such sectoral talks taking place would appear to be receeding.
In October, TUI members voted by 92 per cent to 8 per cent engage in a campaign of industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the two-tier pay system in schools.
The union said although its campaign over the two-tier pay issue had resulted in progress, “those teachers employed after 1st January 2011 will still earn some €110,000 less than longer-serving colleagues over the course of a career”.
“Critically, they will earn over €50,000 less in the first ten years of their career when key life choices are made”, the union said.
TUI president Seamus Lahart said on Friday: "We have exhausted every avenue open to us to bring this matter to resolution and have been left with no choice but to take strike action over the ongoing scandal of pay discrimination.
“Regrettably, the commitment made by Minister for Education Joe McHugh last April that the issue of pay inequality would finally be addressed has not been honoured,” he said.
The approach of the Minister and his Government since then has been to completely ignore the issue in the hope that it would somehow disappear,” Mr Lahart said.
“As our overwhelming mandate for industrial action shows, this short-sighted approach has only served to strengthen the resolve of our members. We are making it clear today that our campaign will continue until pay discrimination has been eliminated.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-17--Murdered and mutilated: Keane Mulready-Woods and the teenagers of gangland

It is eight months since Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy appealed to young people not to get involved in drug dealing , warning they may pay with their lives for involvement in the underworld .
Leahy was speaking as a feud in Coolock , Dublin , worsened ; one of its key characteristics the relative youth of its victims : aged 21 , 22 and 23 .
One of those men was shot in the head while wheeling his child in a buggy .
Not even Leahy , the top Garda officer in Dublin and an experienced campaigner with decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belt , could have predicted how quickly things would spiral .
In the short period since the end of last May , when he issued his warning , the body count in Coolock has increased to five – all shot dead within 10 months of each other and four of them aged 23 or younger .
A separate feud in Drogheda , Co Louth , has morphed from one of petrol bombings , stabbings and pipe bombs to a pattern of tit-for-tat gun murders .
It is the most recent of those three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Keane Mulready-Woods ( 17 ) of Beechwood Drive , Drogheda , was last seen alive in the Co Louth town at about 6pm on Sunday .
The first signs of concern came from his sister , Courtney , who posted an appeal for information on Facebook on Monday afternoon , saying she was concerned about him adding , “ he ’ s only 17 ” .
Within hours , just before 10pm on Monday , the teenager ’ s limbs were found in a black sports bag on a pavement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; nearly 50km from where he was last seen alive .
And at about 1.30am on Wednesday , a bag containing a head , hands and feet were found in a burnt-out blue Volvo V40 in a lane off Clonliffe Avenue in Dublin ’ s north inner city .
A major investigation got under way into the murder , and a house in Drogheda was sealed off on Tuesday night as a suspected crime scene ; possibly the location of Keane ’ s murder and the dismembering of his body .
His is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is thought to be revenge for the murder in Bettystown , Co Meath , last November of drug dealer Richard Carberry .
One of Carberry ’ s close associates is regarded as a volatile criminal who was bent on avenging the 2019 killing .
He was also recently assaulted by Keane Mulready-Woods ’ s young associates .
Carberry was from Dublin and his murder has drawn crime gangs from the capital into the Drogheda feud on both sides .
Keane Mulready-Woods had attended St Oliver ’ s Community College in Drogheda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bicycle around Drogheda and also had a passion for motorbikes ; he was a keen scrambler who took part in some races .
However , the 17-year-old was also part of a new wave of young criminals coming through the ranks of Irish organised crime .
His short time in the world of crime , the manner of his death and the reasons he was killed and his body mutilated reflect a rapidly changing underworld in Ireland .
Just over 20 years ago , the Irish underworld exploded in line with the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainly cocaine – increased from the late 1990s up to about 2008 , in line with disposable incomes and the supply of drugs from the Kinahan cartel in Spain .
Technology also played a crucial part , leading to a new ease with which drugs could be ordered to people ’ s homes or delivered to them in pubs and clubs at any hour via mobile phone .
More people were needed to service that demand ; to staff the logistics operation of storing , moving and selling drugs around the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ school early or skipped third-level education to jump straight into lucrative positions in the booming construction trade in that era , increasing numbers moved into the drugs trade , where there was no shortage of openings and the rewards were instant .
Before the Celtic Tiger years , young men who slipped into crime entered at the bottom and moved up over time .
They often started out joyriding and progressed to crimes such as burglaries – an unofficial apprenticeship of sorts .
Their path to serious crime often involved a stint in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a form of punishment can act as a crime “ finishing school ” , where contacts are made and expertise is picked up from older and more experienced criminals .
They then typically moved into a second phase , often involving armed robbery and drug dealing .
By the time they graduated to the senior ranks they were often in their late 20s or older .
The economic boom changed that .
More young men became affiliated to drugs gangs in their mid- or late teens .
The toughest among them became involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with the drugs trade : debt collection and the taking and holding of territory .
For some of them , progress was rapid .
Some transitioned from entry into the drugs trade at the age of 15 or younger , to running their own gangs by their late teens or early 20s .
Their youth – and the absence of a longer apprenticeship in crime – changed the landscape .
Groups of young men , often using cocaine themselves , now had access to guns and drugs , and saw violence as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The results were instant .
Gang feuding exploded in Dublin and Limerick for a decade , from about the year 2000 to 2010 .
Not only was the feuding and associated death toll unprecedented , but a number of feuds took place simultaneously and lasted for a decade .
In Limerick and in the Dublin suburbs of Crumlin , Drimnagh , Blanchardstown , Corduff , Coolock and Finglas , gun law ruled during the Celtic Tiger drugs boom .
Almost 30 people died in the Limerick and Crumlin-Drimnagh feuds .
But when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 , so did the drugs trade .
Demand for drugs plummeted because disposable incomes were wiped out by the recession .
As the drugs trade contracted , the violence that accompanied it also dissipated .
People still took drugs and the drugs gangs still killed people .
But the level of activity returned to a simmer .
More recently , and especially over the past 12 months , gangland has returned to boiling point ; a second drugs boom is in progress .
The Kinahan-Hutch feud has effectively been under way since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be classed as a drugs turf war .
It is the implosion of relationships between members of the Kinahan cartel and their associates , relationships that go back three decades in some cases .
That feud aside , the pattern of other current crime feuds – in parts of Dublin and in Drogheda – are more akin to the Limerick and the Crumlin-Drimnagh gang wars of the Celtic Tiger years .
Very young , volatile men who are determined to get to the top of the drugs trade in their various stomping grounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on offer , as disposable incomes increase again .
Deadly feuding has exploded suddenly and simultaneously in Coolock and Drogheda , with gangs in Finglas and Clondalkin showing signs of embarking on the same path .
But just as the wider economy climbs to new heights , the drugs trade is also booming .
And those involved in it are sinking to new lows in terms of violence .
Keane Mulready-Woods was one of those young men who jumped straight into drugs gang affiliation .
He was a suspect for petrol bombings on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characterised the feud there since 2018 .
He was convicted , and given a four-month suspended sentence last month , after running a campaign of intimidation against a family in Drogheda .
He had been officially warned by gardaí in recent weeks that his life was in danger .
Gardaí say there was a specific threat to abduct , murder and dismember him .
Even the clothing he disappeared in offers an insight into the trappings on offer for those boys willing to do the dirty work for drugs gangs .
He wore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burberry and Canada Goose .
He also had access to a range of motorbikes .
This is despite having no legitimate income and coming from a disadvantaged background .
“ They get status in these things , better clothes than the kids around them , a few thousand in their pockets and being able to buy an expensive motorbike or flash car , ” says one Garda source of the increasing number of boys getting sucked into organised crime .
“ They are willing to get involved [ in armed drugs gangs ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but for them it seems like a lot .
And they never think they ’ ll be the one who ’ ll end up dead .
All of them are the same in that sense : ‘ it ’ ll never be me ’ .
” Other gardaí now fear what the current drugs boom will bring .
They believe other gangs may take their lead from the Kinahan cartel , which has killed 13 people in direct revenge for an attack on them at Dublin ’ s Regency Hotel , where David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Kinahans have gone for the nuclear button , if you like .
Their response to the Regency is so disproportionate to what actually happened there , ” says one source .
“ It ’ s like they upped the ante so much , others wouldn ’ t even dare to try to compete .
You don ’ t just kill the opposition , you do something so crazy you ’ re trying to scare them off the pitch and just dominate the environment.
” Several other gardaí who spoke to The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scatter his remains in Dublin was intended as a chilling message to the rival drugs gang .
They see it as a “ Kinahan-style ” bid to make the stakes so high that their rivals would never seek to compete .
If you even try , you will be annihilated , is the message .
There are now fears in the Garda that the cycle of such “ nuclear ” attacks may become normalised in this second drugs boom .

It is eight months since Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy appealed to young people not to get involved in drug dealing, warning they may pay with their lives for involvement in the underworld.
Leahy was speaking as a feud in Coolock, Dublin, worsened; one of its key characteristics the relative youth of its victims: aged 21, 22 and 23. One of those men was shot in the head while wheeling his child in a buggy.
Not even Leahy, the top Garda officer in Dublin and an experienced campaigner with decades of frontline and management experience under his belt, could have predicted how quickly things would spiral.
In the short period since the end of last May, when he issued his warning, the body count in Coolock has increased to five – all shot dead within 10 months of each other and four of them aged 23 or younger.
READ MORE
A separate feud in Drogheda, Co Louth, has morphed from one of petrol bombings, stabbings and pipe bombs to a pattern of tit-for-tat gun murders. It is the most recent of those three killings that shocked the country in recent days. Keane Mulready-Woods (17) of Beechwood Drive, Drogheda, was last seen alive in the Co Louth town at about 6pm on Sunday.
Gang feuding exploded in Dublin and Limerick for a decade, from about the year 2000 to 2010
The first signs of concern came from his sister, Courtney, who posted an appeal for information on Facebook on Monday afternoon, saying she was concerned about him adding, “he’s only 17”.
Within hours, just before 10pm on Monday, the teenager’s limbs were found in a black sports bag on a pavement on Moatview Drive, Darndale, north Dublin; nearly 50km from where he was last seen alive.
And at about 1.30am on Wednesday, a bag containing a head, hands and feet were found in a burnt-out blue Volvo V40 in a lane off Clonliffe Avenue in Dublin’s north inner city.
A major investigation got under way into the murder, and a house in Drogheda was sealed off on Tuesday night as a suspected crime scene; possibly the location of Keane’s murder and the dismembering of his body.
His is the third murder in the Drogheda feud. It is thought to be revenge for the murder in Bettystown, Co Meath, last November of drug dealer Richard Carberry.
One of Carberry’s close associates is regarded as a volatile criminal who was bent on avenging the 2019 killing. He was also recently assaulted by Keane Mulready-Woods’s young associates.
Carberry was from Dublin and his murder has drawn crime gangs from the capital into the Drogheda feud on both sides.
Changing underworld
Keane Mulready-Woods had attended St Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda. He loved dogs, riding his bicycle around Drogheda and also had a passion for motorbikes; he was a keen scrambler who took part in some races.
However, the 17-year-old was also part of a new wave of young criminals coming through the ranks of Irish organised crime. His short time in the world of crime, the manner of his death and the reasons he was killed and his body mutilated reflect a rapidly changing underworld in Ireland.
Just over 20 years ago, the Irish underworld exploded in line with the economic boom. The demand for drugs – mainly cocaine – increased from the late 1990s up to about 2008, in line with disposable incomes and the supply of drugs from the Kinahan cartel in Spain.
Technology also played a crucial part, leading to a new ease with which drugs could be ordered to people’s homes or delivered to them in pubs and clubs at any hour via mobile phone.
More people were needed to service that demand; to staff the logistics operation of storing, moving and selling drugs around the country.
And just as many young men left school early or skipped third-level education to jump straight into lucrative positions in the booming construction trade in that era, increasing numbers moved into the drugs trade, where there was no shortage of openings and the rewards were instant.
Before the Celtic Tiger years, young men who slipped into crime entered at the bottom and moved up over time. They often started out joyriding and progressed to crimes such as burglaries – an unofficial apprenticeship of sorts.
Their path to serious crime often involved a stint in prison, which as well as being a form of punishment can act as a crime “finishing school”, where contacts are made and expertise is picked up from older and more experienced criminals.
They then typically moved into a second phase, often involving armed robbery and drug dealing. By the time they graduated to the senior ranks they were often in their late 20s or older.
Gardai remove the burnt out vehicle on Trinity Terrace, Drumcondra, where parts of Keane Mulready Woods’ body were found in a burned out car. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
The economic boom changed that. More young men became affiliated to drugs gangs in their mid- or late teens. The toughest among them became involved in the intimidation and violence that go along with the drugs trade: debt collection and the taking and holding of territory.
For some of them, progress was rapid. Some transitioned from entry into the drugs trade at the age of 15 or younger, to running their own gangs by their late teens or early 20s. Their youth – and the absence of a longer apprenticeship in crime – changed the landscape. Groups of young men, often using cocaine themselves, now had access to guns and drugs, and saw violence as the way to shore up their positions.
The results were instant. Gang feuding exploded in Dublin and Limerick for a decade, from about the year 2000 to 2010. Not only was the feuding and associated death toll unprecedented, but a number of feuds took place simultaneously and lasted for a decade.
In Limerick and in the Dublin suburbs of Crumlin, Drimnagh, Blanchardstown, Corduff, Coolock and Finglas, gun law ruled during the Celtic Tiger drugs boom. Almost 30 people died in the Limerick and Crumlin-Drimnagh feuds.
But when the economy fell off a cliff in 2008, so did the drugs trade. Demand for drugs plummeted because disposable incomes were wiped out by the recession. As the drugs trade contracted, the violence that accompanied it also dissipated. People still took drugs and the drugs gangs still killed people. But the level of activity returned to a simmer.
Boiling point
More recently, and especially over the past 12 months, gangland has returned to boiling point; a second drugs boom is in progress.
The Kinahan-Hutch feud has effectively been under way since 2015. But that cannot really be classed as a drugs turf war. It is the implosion of relationships between members of the Kinahan cartel and their associates, relationships that go back three decades in some cases.
That feud aside, the pattern of other current crime feuds – in parts of Dublin and in Drogheda – are more akin to the Limerick and the Crumlin-Drimnagh gang wars of the Celtic Tiger years.
Very young, volatile men who are determined to get to the top of the drugs trade in their various stomping grounds have become highly motivated by the rewards on offer, as disposable incomes increase again.
Deadly feuding has exploded suddenly and simultaneously in Coolock and Drogheda, with gangs in Finglas and Clondalkin showing signs of embarking on the same path.
The Kinahans have gone for the nuclear button, if you like. Their response to the Regency is so disproportionate to what actually happened there
But just as the wider economy climbs to new heights, the drugs trade is also booming. And those involved in it are sinking to new lows in terms of violence.
Keane Mulready-Woods was one of those young men who jumped straight into drugs gang affiliation. He was a suspect for petrol bombings on houses in Drogheda, attacks that have characterised the feud there since 2018.
He was convicted, and given a four-month suspended sentence last month, after running a campaign of intimidation against a family in Drogheda. He had been officially warned by gardaí in recent weeks that his life was in danger. Gardaí say there was a specific threat to abduct, murder and dismember him.
Even the clothing he disappeared in offers an insight into the trappings on offer for those boys willing to do the dirty work for drugs gangs. He wore expensive designer labels: Hugo Boss, Burberry and Canada Goose. He also had access to a range of motorbikes. This is despite having no legitimate income and coming from a disadvantaged background.
Gardaí at the scene in Coolock on Tuesday morning where a bag containing human limbs was found. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
“They get status in these things, better clothes than the kids around them, a few thousand in their pockets and being able to buy an expensive motorbike or flash car,” says one Garda source of the increasing number of boys getting sucked into organised crime.
“They are willing to get involved [in armed drugs gangs] for what are fairly minor rewards, but for them it seems like a lot. And they never think they’ll be the one who’ll end up dead. All of them are the same in that sense: ‘it’ll never be me’.”
Other gardaí now fear what the current drugs boom will bring. They believe other gangs may take their lead from the Kinahan cartel, which has killed 13 people in direct revenge for an attack on them at Dublin’s Regency Hotel, where David Byrne was killed in 2016.
“The Kinahans have gone for the nuclear button, if you like. Their response to the Regency is so disproportionate to what actually happened there,” says one source. “It’s like they upped the ante so much, others wouldn’t even dare to try to compete. You don’t just kill the opposition, you do something so crazy you’re trying to scare them off the pitch and just dominate the environment.”
Several other gardaí who spoke to The Irish Times believe the decision to dismember Mulready-Woods and scatter his remains in Dublin was intended as a chilling message to the rival drugs gang. They see it as a “Kinahan-style” bid to make the stakes so high that their rivals would never seek to compete. If you even try, you will be annihilated, is the message.
There are now fears in the Garda that the cycle of such “nuclear” attacks may become normalised in this second drugs boom.