Government losing fight against crime

LIFE has become cheap in Ireland — so cheap that a father of five young children was killed for attempting to stop thieves stealing his car.

Up and down the country, there is a palpable sense of outrage at such a mindless killing. For people who suffer daily from crime, or the dread of crime, it will be seen as yet another tragic illustration of the casual violence besetting Irish society today.

For many, the sense of vulnerability will be heightened by the fear they can no longer protect their own property without the risk of being murdered.