Gangland violence: Inner city ‘in fear’ after terror return

The gangland murders of the past fortnight have brought back “fear and terror” to a community already on its knees from cutbacks and neglect, the local drug task force has said.

The co-ordinator of the North Inner City Drugs Task Force, Mel MacGiobuin, said there was a sense of “dangerous, foreboding, elements prowling the streets” at the moment.

His comments come as the funeral of Edward Hutch Sr takes place this morning in the north inner city.

He was gunned down on February 8 at his home in Ballybough in suspected retaliation for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel on February 5.

Mr Byrne, from Crumlin, south Dublin, a senior member of the Kinahan crime cartel, was buried last Monday. A repeat of Monday’s massive security operation by gardaí is expected today to prevent violence.

“These past 13 days have brought back fear and terror to communities that struggled with neglect and intimidation in the 80s and 90s,” said Mr MacGiobuin in a statement issued on behalf of the taskforce.

Flowers are delivered to the home of Eddie Hutch’s sister yesterday prior to the funeral of Eddie Hutch, which takes place today.

Mr MacGiobuin condemned the murders, saying they were brothers, husbands, fathers, sons and neighbours and expressed sympathies to the families.

“These so-called ‘gangland’ killings, once a regular hallmark of the north inner city, have not plagued this area for some time past.”

However, he said they were not unexpected to local projects, and added: “The ongoing withdrawal of services, increases in family poverty and return of long-term unemployment throughout the community has brought it to its knees.

“Street drug dealing, crime, and violence have blatantly resurfaced amidst our homes and schools, bringing with them hopelessness and despair,” he said.

He said the taskforce welcomed the publication this week of a report by Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign on drug-related intimidation by gangs.

“There is too much of a culture of drug-related intimidation and now an added-sense of more dangerous, foreboding elements prowling the streets around our homes planning to strike again,” Mr MacGiobuin said.

An armed member of the Special Detective Unit plays with children on Portland Row, outside the home of Eddie Hutch’s sister.

Mr Hutch’s remains will be brought the short distance from his sister’s house on Portland Row to Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Sean McDermott St for 11am funeral Mass, and then on to Glasnevin Cemetery.

Up to 100 gardaí are involved in securing and policing the funeral.

Gardaí have been keeping a close eye on any suspects travelling in and out of the country.

They have already identified 40 associates of the Kinahan gang on the southside and will try and monitor and limit their movements.