Time to stand up to gangs

The extraordinary events in Limerick over the past week, culminating with the presence of the garda Emergency Response Unit in the city, has put the issue of law and order on top of the political agenda.

Soldiers from Clonmel and Limerick were drafted in to help in the search for the two Ryan brothers, who were said to have been abducted by a rival gang.

Their reappearance, unscathed and unhurt, almost coincided with the murder of one and the brutal assault of another member of the rival gang.

The people of Limerick have been going through a turmoil of fear and trepidation because of the activities of these two families, or gangs.

Between them they caused an inordinate concentration of the resources of the gardaí, as well as army personnel, to be drafted into the area.

It has been suggested that a mediator of some kind might be able to broker peace between the two warring factions.

A more practical measure would be that both sides be brought to heel by the forces of law and order and be made abide by the law if they wish to remain free in their local community.