Cllr: Anti- crime stance prompted gun attack
A Fianna Fáil councillor today said he was being targeted for speaking out about crime after his home was hit by two shotgun blasts.
Larry O’Gorman, 60, from Kilrush in County Clare was at home when a lone youth fired the shots, shattering one of the windows on the front of his house.
He said he had consistently highlighted the problems on the John Paul estate where he lives, which include drug dealing, car-burning and concrete blocks being thrown through windows.
“I suppose that was a warning shot for me to keep my mouth shut,” he said.
Mr Keogh said there were around 15 ‘hardcore’ people in the area who were responsible for the crime.
“They’re drug sellers. They’re looking to create absolute fear and intimidation so they can sell their product to anybody.”
The shotgun attack on his house took place at 8.20pm last night, shortly after he had finished dealing with a constituent who was seeking a council house.
The first shot hit the window of the room where his computer was stored and was followed by another shot.
“It pushed the glass right in and across the room. You can see the pellets on the wall,” said Mr O’Gorman.
His 20-year-old daughter was on the stairs and spotted a man with a double-barrelled shotgun outside. She shouted at her father to stay away from the door.
Gardaí were called to the house and the scene was guarded overnight until the arrival of the forensic team today.
Mr O’Gorman, who was first elected to Kilrush Town Council in 1999, said it was the latest in a series of attacks on his family.
Earlier this year, his daughter was assaulted by two youths wielding iron bars and the lights and windows on his car were smashed. In August, a petrol bomb was thrown at his home and last week, a rock was used to smash the window on his front door.
Mr O’Gorman said his family had been very frightened by the attacks.
“They were all over here last night, crying and wanting me to leave. But I have bought my own house here and I’m caught between a rock and a hard place because at my age I won’t get another mortgage.”
He added: “What we’re looking for is the Minister for Justice to give more resources to the Gardaí in West Clare because Kilrush is getting an awful bashing.”
