Climate of fear

LOCALS in the north inner city are living in fear and losing hope following the continuation of the vicious, and seemingly relentless gang feud that has now claimed seven lives.

The ongoing violence in Dublin has been condemned by the local community with the Inner City Organisations Network (ICON) describing it as “appalling”.

“This community should not be subjected to this sustained campaign of ruthless violence currently being experienced on these streets,” a spokesperson for the ICON said.

ICON has called for urgent action from Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, to “end this senseless cycle of violence” and is demanding that the she convene a summit to come up with a sustained, long-term response to the root causes of the crisis. 

The simmering feud between the rival gangs has exploded over the last few months and shows no sign of letting up. 

Coordinator of the local Young People At Risk group, Patrick Gates, described its impact on his community.

“People are afraid and they don’t know where the next attack is going to come from,” he said.

“Parents are particularly fearful for their children because young people are witnessing these acts of violence.

“It’s traumatising them; it’s creating huge anxiety among them so we’re very, very concerned. The gardaí seem powerless to actually stop this and these criminal gangs are attacking the communities; they’re attacking whole communities.

“They seem to be able to operate with impunity and it’s time now for serious intervention from the State.”

ICON chairperson, Seanie Lambe, says that while all the focus is on the violence, the North Inner City’s problems extend far beyond two Dublin crime factions.

“There’s a sense of hopelessness,” Lambe told Northside People.

“What can stop this? How can this be stopped? And there isn’t any easy solution, but I’d also like to point out that these problems are rooted in poverty and disadvantage.

“The area has been neglected for a long time. We’ve suffered cutbacks for the last 8-10 years and all of the resources for the youth services and community development have been savagely cut.

“The State doesn’t seem to be taking into account that if you keep treating communities like this, young people in the communities will respond in their own particular way.”

Lambe said that while the murders are a direct result of the actions of the gangs, the underlying issues that lead to such criminality are deep rooted in community neglect.

The most recent shooting came just days after hundreds of local residents had marched peacefully in a White Ribbon Walk to remember those claimed by the feud and to express solidarity against violence.

REPORT: Jack O’Toole