17 gun murders this year

THIS year has seen the lowest number of gun killings for three years in Ireland, but the prevalence of firearms was underlined last month when a motorcycle garda was shot after stopping a stolen car.

Seventeen people have been shot dead this year, less than half the total for last year when 27 people were shot dead. In 2005, 21 gun murders were recorded and only nine in 2004.

Some high-profile killings include: