McDowell under pressure after gun deaths
The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell today came under pressure in the Dáil after the latest fatal shooting – the third attack of its kind in just over a week.
The Tánaiste was challenged by Opposition leaders on the “appalling crime” just minutes after gardaí confirmed that a man was gunned down in Drogheda and a woman was injured.
The attack comes days after Latvian-born mother of two Baiba Saulite was shot dead as she spoke to friends on the doorstep of her Dublin home in what is believed to have been a professional assassination.
The Sunday night murder of the 28-year-old while her young children slept in her home sparked widespread condemnation. The shooting came within five days of a gun attack on a street near Croke Park which left one man dead.
Today, gardaí launched an investigation after the Drogheda shooting.
The victim, believed to be in his early 30s, was gunned down at Marleys Lane, Tredagh View, in the town at about 9.15am.
A woman was hurt in the gun attack but her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The man was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives believe a car found burnt out at Old Bridge in the town may have been used as a getaway vehicle by the attackers.
The dead man was understood to be living in the area.
The scene has been sealed off to be examined by officers from the Garda Technical Bureau.
Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating a further shooting incident in Limerick during the early hours of this morning.
A single shot was fired through the front sitting room window of a house at Delmege Park in Moyross at 2.20am.
Nobody was injured and the scene has been sealed off for technical examination.
The series of attacks raised concerns over gun crime in the country.
In the Dáil, Fine Gael party leader Mr Kenny raised the latest fatal shooting but was ruled out of order by the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) Dr Rory O’Hanlon.
“I understand that another man was shot dead in Drogheda this morning, which is another appalling incidence of crime,” Mr Kenny began.
Mr McDowell was not permitted to comment on the matter under the procedures governing the Order of Business.
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte also asked Mr McDowell to make a statement on the killing of Ms Saulite.
It is understood Ms Saulite had told her friends and neighbours that she was concerned for her safety but gardaí insisted they were not aware of any specific threat to her life.
“Can I ask the Minister if he intends to come into the House to make a statement on the case and the many disquieting factors that appear to surround it?” asked Mr Rabbitte.
“In particular, in the matter of her protection by the gardaí, if it was refused, having regard to the fact that her solicitor has such protection, and the fact that it was a contract killing.”
In reply, Mr McDowell told the Dáil he could not comment on an ongoing Garda investigation.
