More brutal trend in homicides

Although Ireland's homicide rate in 2004 was the lowest for 10 years, homicides have become more brutal, attracting more media attention. Emma Browne reports

There have been 11 homicides in Ireland this year. This is slightly above the quarterly average for homicides in 2004, when there were 36 homicides during the course of the year (nine per quarter). However, over the past few years the number of homicides has decreased. In 2002, 52 people died as a result of a violent death; in 2003, 45 people; last year just 36. That 2004 figure was the lowest homicide total for 10 years.

What distinguishes the violent deaths this year are the extraordinary circumstances surrounding several of them; in some instances there has been astonishing brutality, in other cases deep public emotion has been aroused. The Robert Holohan case in Midleton, Co Cork at the beginning of the year attracted huge public involvement in the search for the missing child and attracted massive media attention.

There was also major media attention focused on the killing of Liam Moloney, the taxi man killed in Clare, and the murder of Donegal man, Shaun Duffy. Shaun Duffy's murder is thought to have involved the use of an axe and a crossbow. And recently a man's dismembered remains were found in the Royal canal.

The State Pathologist, Marie Cassidy, said homicides across the country have grown far more vicious. "You don't get single stab-wound deaths, as if they [victims] can get to a hospital they will survive". She said we have a "more violent culture" now.

She said deaths generally result from multiple injuries as it makes it more difficult for the person to be resuscitated: "they stab them, shoot them, then set them on fire… things have become much more complex."

Although the brutality of these homicides may be alarming, Ireland has the lowest murder rate per capita in Europe.

1 Robert Holohan

Robert Holohan (12) was missing for nine days before they located his body, after one of the largest and most intensive Garda searches in Ireland. His body was discovered in dense undergrowth at Inch Strand 15 miles from his home in Midleton, Co Cork. His body had been wrapped in a plastic bag. He died as a result of compression of the neck and windpipe, most likely caused by his neck being crushed in a headlock. The post-mortem showed that he was most likely dead even before his parents reported him missing. He was killed on 4 January. Wayne O'Donoghue (20), has been charged with his manslaughter. A preliminary book of evidence has been sent to the Chief State Solicitor's Office and forwarded to the DPP. Gardaí are still awaiting the State Pathologist's report.

2 Thomas Brady

Thomas Brady (49) was murdered on 19 January at his home in the Dolphin House flats in Rialto. He died from several blows to the head, most likely from a blunt instrument, which gardaí recovered at the scene. His body was discovered by his 24 year-old-son, Edward Brady, who has since been charged with his murder. Thomas Brady was a mature student at Crumlin College, studying business and computers. He had six children – two sons and four daughters.

3 Fergal Landy

Fergal Landy (27) was stabbed on 24 January, in Killarney. Gardaí were called to his apartment on the Monday night, after it was reported there was a row in progress. They found Landy lying on the ground, having been stabbed in the chest. A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene. Fergal Landy was originally from Ennis, Co Clare and had worked as a head chef in Whitegates Hotel in Killarney for three years. He is survived by his partner, a three-month-old daughter and a seven-year-old daughter. Joe Greaney, also a chef, has been charged with the murder of his neighbour.

4 Shaun Duffy

Shaun Duffy (36) was found dead at his home on 29 January. He had sustained severe head injuries. There was evidence he had been shot with a crossbow and attacked with an axe. He had spent the night at a bar close to his home in Meenacross, Dungloe, Co Donegal. After the bar he visited his parent's house before returning home, where he was attacked and killed. The house had been disturbed suggesting he struggled with his attackers before he was killed. There are suggestions that two people attacked him. His body was found by his younger brother the next day. He was a part-time undertaker and also hired out limousine cars for weddings.

5 Liam Moloney

Liam Moloney (56) was murdered on 11 February. His body was found dumped in a field near Ruan, Co Clare the next day. He died in his taxi after receiving multiple stabs wounds. His body was later dumped in a field at Ruan, six miles from Ennis, while his killer tried unsuccessfully to burn out his hackney car at the nearby village of Barefield before abandoning it. The post-mortem found that he had suffered extensive head injuries, including a knife wound to the throat. Gardaí found a 12-inch kitchen knife in the taxi. The Garda launched Co Clare's largest murder investigation. Anthony Kelly (52) was charged on 25 February with his murder.

6 Brian O'Neill

Brian O'Neill (18) was fatally stabbed on 13 February at Woodlawn Grove in Waterford City. Later that day an 18-year-old man was charged in connection with the incident.

7 John Roche

John Roche (24) was shot on Military Road, Kilmainham on 9 March. It is understood he was shot twice in the body but other bullets were fired, one hitting the window of a nearby flat. A large black car was seen leaving the scene in the direction of Heuston railway station. Witnesses said Roche tried to run down the road towards Bow Bridge but collapsed in front of a pub. Two women were arrested in connection with the killing the day after, but were just held overnight. The shooting is thought to have been part of a four-year gangland feud, which resulted in the deaths of two other men in 2001 and 2002.

8 Tom Jordan

Thomas Jordan (49) was found dead in a flat on William Street, in Waterford City centre on 17 March. Gardaí made the discovery after receiving a call about the killing. He died as a result of multiple injuries suffered in a frenzied attack. A 29-year-old man, Andrew Foley, was charged in connection with the incident after going voluntarily to Waterford Garda Station soon after the homicide. Tom Jordan was a well-known athlete in the 1970s and 1980s.

9 Unidentified Body

On 30 March the remains of a man were found in the Royal Canal at Ballybough Bridge, Dublin. At the time of going to press the man had not been identified, although gardaí said he was black and between 20 and 30 years old. The body was headless and dismembered and the parts could have been in the canal for up to two weeks before being discovered, gardaí said. Gardaí believe he was killed somewhere else before being dumped in the canal. The post mortem revealed the man was stabbed to death before he was dismembered. The body had decomposed and discoloured to such an extent that, until the post mortem was concluded, gardaí believed the remains were those of a white man. There is a theory that it was a ritual killing. Gardaí at the National Immigration Bureau failed to identify the man.

10 Raymond Browne

Raymond Browne (33) from Clonshaugh Drive, Coolock, was stabbed in his garden on 2 April and he died later that night in hospital. Another man in his thirties was also taken to hospital with stab injuries arising out of the same altercation but he was not seriously injured. A dispute had arisen earlier in the night between two factions at a club in the area. A number of people were involved in a series of altercations, which broke out at different locations. Many of those involved in the initial dispute left the scene before the fatal stabbing incident. Peter Dolan (39) has been charged with assault causing harm of Raymond Browne.

11 James Curran

Jimmy Curran (42), a champion kickboxer, was shot in the head as he drank in a Dublin inner-city pub, the Green Lizard on Francis St, on 3 April. There were up to 30 people in the pub when he was shot, at around 10pm. Gardaí believe the killer may have been in the pub for some time before shots were fired. The killer was described as six feet tall, grey-haired, middle-aged and well-dressed. Early indications were that his killing may have been a revenge attack following his recent involvement in an altercation. Gardaí are hopeful that CCTV will help identify the killer. A man and a woman were questioned about the incident in the days following. At the time of going to print nobody had been arrested.

12 Irene White

Gardaí launched a murder investigation after Irene White (43) was found dead on her kitchen floor on 6 April. There was no sign of a struggle or break in. It is believed she received what appeared