Cathal Barry
Priests have described the “shock” felt by local parishioners following the recent gangland violence that saw two men killed in the nation’s capital.
Fr John Jones, administrator of Whitehall parish, said locals were “shocked” by the shootings that saw a man killed and two others injured at the nearby Regency Hotel.
“It was a very dramatic and traumatic event. Obviously when people heard about it they were predictably shocked,” he told The Irish Catholic.
“In a way what happened, the taking of life and the violent mayhem that was involved, just highlights the absence of morality, the way of looking at things from God’s point of view and the influence of God in society today.
“The fact that this has happened locally, in a very ordinary afternoon setting, emphasised that aspect of things,” he insisted.
Msgr Martin O’Shea, Co-Parish Priest of Drumcondra parish, also said parishioners were “very shocked that something like this could happen”.
“It was a shocking occurrence and it is outrageous that something like that would happen in broad daylight,” he said.
Context
Fr Jones said “the fact that it happened in the locality and in such a context, is something people are finding hard to comprehend”.
“When it’s local it always makes a bigger impact than if it happened somewhere else. It was something that really struck people aright,” he said, warning that people against glamourising crime and violence.
“There is unfortunately almost a glamour in even speaking about crime and violence which could give the wrong impression to young people about that way of life.
“I would be encouraging them to take on a wholesome role in society, getting involved in the local parish, in sport and community activities, taking a positive attitude towards things,” he said.