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.

After a record number of 26 unlawful killings arising from gangland activity in 2006, the figure so far this year has fallen to just eight gangland deaths.

Well known criminologist Dr Paul O’Mahony says while he expects gangland crime annual figures to drop this year, the overall number of killings will reach a record high.

“Those figures would suggest that although there has been a fallback in gangland assassinations, the overall figure is heading for a record number for 2007.” Dr O’Mahony says that even though we are way off the homicide per capita rates of other countries we have our increasingly stressful lifestyles to blame for the increase.

“It is to be expected as part and parcel of a change in Irish lifestyles — loosening of value systems, increased stress and competitiveness — that we will see more violent deaths. It is quite clear there has been growth in lethal violence amongst ordinary people, which may not be planned or premeditated but as a result of people snapping under pressure.

“There has been a steady increase in domestic rows fuelled by drink and drugs that has led to unexpected outbursts resulting in deaths,” he said.

The figures also show that there have been seven murder-suicide deaths so far this year. This figure consists of the victims of family members who killed them before taking their own lives.

“Although it has not been unknown to happen in recent years, it would have been relatively unheard of 10 years ago and also points to our change in lifestyle.”

Dr O’Mahony also believes the spread of gun culture is already embedded in our culture and without any downward trend in sight he says the problem will only get worse.

The media and globalisation of culture also have huge parts to play in our increase in violent deaths according to Dr O’Mahony.

“As American culture spreads through film and TV, people will use this media as possible scripts to act out in their own lives.

A spokesman for the Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan said while he was happy that gangland killings are running significantly lower than last year, he recognised a clear and present danger from the gangs involved, saying these gangs set the value of human life at nothing and pledged he would be relentless in the fight against organised crime.