Fighting crime

Earlier this week, two men were murdered in gangland killings.

Yesterday, a third man lost his life in another such attack.

There was this week, too, the shocking case in Sligo where a man in his 60s was tied with wire, beaten terribly, and left to die in his home.

Crime statistics yesterday recorded a 10%-plus rise in burglaries and an 8% rise in fraud and kidnappings. These are disconcerting figures and worrying for all sections of society.

Gardaí have repeatedly warned that because of cutbacks and a recruitment veto they are finding it increasingly difficult to be as effective as they, and we, might wish. These warnings stand despite assurances from the Garda Commissioner that he has the resources needed to police the country properly.

However, our justice system cannot stand alone and, as a Donegal coroner struggled to fill a jury yesterday, we should all recognise and accept the role we have to play in it. If we do not we cannot complain about the consequences.