Garda Shoot to Kill

national | crime and justice | opinion/analysis Friday May 27, 2005 14:59 by james

McDowell gives the signal and the ERU do the job

Garda killings are sanctioned and encouraged by the state.

Thursday's killings in Lusk if they occured in the north before the ceasefires and if the RUC or the Bristish army had been involved would have brought immediate public questioning by many prominent political figures and many media commentators. The silence here is deafening.

There have been a spate of serious armed robberies over recent times and a spate of gangland style killings. The state felt things were getting out of hand so they reacted in the same way they have done before.

McDowell gave the signal earlier with his "Operation Anvil" launch. Frankly as I discussed this with a friend we both felt that it meant the ERU would kill someone. It is evident from the reports(slanted as they are, Paul McWilliams the garda spokeperson oops journalist stated that an exchange of gunfire had occured) that one unfired gun and a sledge hammer were recovered. Two dead in a hail of bullets.

The ERU strikes again not for the first or unfortunately the last time. The Gardai on the ropes over corruption charges and accusations of brutality on the Reclaim the Streets march have been given a signal by the politcal leadership of the country that all is well and get on with the job.

The bottom line is this the gardai are vital for the control of society and the protection of capital and the state. If they cross the line every now and then that's okay once they know who's boss. Anyone who has illusions in their willingness to batter protestors, frame up undesirables and even kill for the state should cop themselves on.