Gardaí praise victim Alquasar

GARDAÍ investigating the attempted murder of Afek Alquasar yesterday praised the life sentence handed to criminal Darren Larkin.

Detective Inspector Brian Sherry said the term would send out the message that gangland can be beaten. He praised the bravery of Mr Alquasar, who he said had practically lost his life as a result of the shooting and subsequent intimidation.

“It’s a very serious sentence, but, then again, equate it with the very serious crime that was committed,” he said. “Mr Alquazar has practically lost his life. It wasn’t for the want of trying and his life is going to take on a different meaning for the future. He can no longer reside on this island.”

He said Blanchardstown had been “under the cosh” in the last four years with the amount of murders and shootings: “We believe it’s going to send out a message that the police are capable of doing this thing with the assistance of the public and I want to commend Mr Alquasar for his integrity and for the way he has met this case.”

He said gardaí believed the sentence would assist policing in the Blanchardstown area, which he said had an above-average number of shootings: “A lot of people involved in those shootings, the victims are intimidated and fearful of giving evidence. I believe Mr Alquazar’s stand has proven to the public that there is a way forward, that these people can be beaten and that the gardaí are there to protect them.”