Fr Patrick McCafferty, a priest based in Ballymurphy in west Belfast, has criticised the police for being “unable or unwilling” to tackle the criminal gangs linked to a spate of murders in the west and north of the city. The comments were made following the recent killing of Kevin Conway, who was on bail over his alleged involvement in the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan in January 2023. Fr McCafferty said that people in the local community feel unable to speak to the police adding that he had sympathy with the complexity of the investigations but noted that “after 10, 15 years, there hasn’t been a single person made accountable and put behind bars”. The police service noted the complexity of the incidents but stated it had made arrests in relation to several cases.
In the last decade, there have been 17 murders, including this most recent case involving gun crime and drugs in the small area of north and west Belfast. Many of the cases have remained unsolved, adding to the view that the police are struggling to tackle the organised crime gangs known as The Firm. These groups operate with some degree of sophistication and often have dissident republican links, which add to the difficulties in investigating the crimes. The police have requested more information from witnesses and offered several ways in which the community can contact the authorities and report information anonymously.
Fr McCafferty emphasised the importance of bringing those responsible to justice, adding that crimes like these endanger society and shouldn’t go unpunished. While it is a challenge to bring those responsible to court, the absence of accountability after so many years is a concern, undermining confidence in law enforcement and causing considerable apprehension in the local community. The killing of Kevin Conway is another violent reminder of the dangers facing many communities, and the need for those responsible to be brought to justice, holding them accountable for their crimes.
These are complicated cases, marked by cold-blooded brutality that reflects the temperament and tactics of these criminal groups linked to drugs and guns. The hope is that the authorities can address the issue and give the community peace of mind, allowing them to feel safe in their neighbourhoods
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