O’Dea vows to get tough on ‘acts of savagery’

UNIFORMED garda patrols in Limerick will receive armed support to tackle “acts of savagery”, such as last weekend’s proliferation of petrol bombings in Moyross.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said yesterday the seriousness of the situation warranted robust action. He also criticised the “couldn’t care less” attitude of some parents in Limerick, who allow their children to run out of control, and asked: “Why not make them pay?”

Mr O’Dea described the weekend’s petrol bomb attacks in the city as “a new development”. The petrol bomb was an “extra weapon”, he added, “in the hands of savages”.

“These people have absolutely no respect [for human life], no thought for suffering and pain,” he said, “Petrol bombs are like toys to them ... [and] the State has to respond accordingly.”

Mr O’Dea was speaking after he met with Supt Gerry Mahon who is leading the hunt for the gang that set a family car ablaze in Moyross, on Sunday, causing serious burns to siblings Millie and Gavin Murray.

The children, aged six and four, are fighting for their lives in the burns unit of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin.

Mr O’Dea described the attack as “an incomprehensible act of savagery”, and added that gardaí were satisfied it was a random act of violence.

“All the evidence points to it being deliberate and done at a moment’s notice,” he added, “The investigation is going very well and I would be confident there will be a successful outcome.”

Late last night, two young men were arrested and will be brought before court today in relation to the attack.

In light of the violence, the minister promised extra gardaí would be “drafted in” to Limerick city.

Extra foot patrols, in Moyross and Thomondgate, would be backed by mobile units and even armed support, he said.

Mr O’Dea also sought to reassure the public. “We have had these explosive short periods before. Extra policing has brought them under control and this upsurge will [also] be brought under control.

“I am satisfied the gardaí will devote the appropriate resources to this problem.”

On Matt Cooper’s radio show, The Last Word, the minister was asked yesterday about making parents ‘pay’ for out-of-control children.

“In a lot of cases where the gardaí and other responsible people in the community and, indeed, occasionally myself have approached the parents, we’ve had a very, very, poor reception indeed — a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude. There is something on the statute books enabling the courts to make parents responsible but my understanding is that the law is so hedged in that ... [it] hasn’t worked.”

“We all know the irresponsible parents in places like Moyross and other places, so why not make them responsible?

“Why not make them pay ... if it can be proved that they are reckless or negligent in their parental responsibilities?”