Violent deaths up 16% on 2006

THE discovery of Finbar Dennehy’s body on Wednesday brings the total number of violent deaths to 57 so far this year, up 16% on the same period in 2006.

The figure surpasses the total number for 2003, 2004 and is just 11 shy of the final total last year despite there being three full months left in 2007.

The number of deaths resulting from stab wounds so far this year has reached 25, while the number of fatal shootings in the first nine months of this year has fallen to 11.