Liberty Focus

Duel in the Coombe

theLiberty investigates the struggle for supremacy

On Tuesday March 9, Alan Byrne set of for work as usual. The time was 7.45 and he was rushing to catch the bus on Cork St that would take him to his place of work. A moment later he was approached by a man disguised in construction gear who produced a pistol and fired three shots into Alan’s back. The man made his getaway with the assistance of a waiting motorcyclist. For Coombe residents this has become an all too familiar scene, as drug lords and anti drug groups fight for supremacy with neither side being the heroes. Alan has survived the attack but friend’s fear for his continued safety.

This is not the first time Alan has been attacked. Last year while he and his friend Josie Dwyer were walking towards the Coombe they were set upon by group of vigilantes who began to verbally abuse both men. A fight ensued and the injuries that Josie sustained caused him to haemorrhage he later died. Both men were drug addicts and Josie was in the final stages of full-blown AIDS. A close friend to both men said that "Josie was just skin and bone" and that he was unable to defend himself. Locals believe that the vigilantes were part of an anti drugs group and that the attack was part of campaign to clean up the area. Alan is now a reformed steady character." According to a close friend, "Alan is off the gear two years and is supporting two children." He believes that Josie saved his life and now vows to put the murderers behind bars.

As a result of the attack last year, a number of vigilantes are due to appear in court and Alan is one of the key witnesses. Friends believe that this latest attack was a scare tactic and that they were not trying to kill him. "If they had wanted to kill him they would have. "Maybe they are feeling guilty because he is making his own way in life." Another friend also believes that Alan had received several threats to his life before but "he took them in his stride. He is just that kind of person".

Throughout the Liberties there is a big split in the community between the vigilantes and the people who don't agree with their methods. According to one resident "there are good intentions here with reformed junkies who have gotten off the gear. But to then turn around and condemn your neighbour, it’s total hypocrisy." Many also believe that some of these groups are condemning drugs on one hand and yet raking in the profits from the drug sales on the other. This practice in particular has caused fierce bitterness in the south inner city.

The Liberty has discovered that Alan was familiar with the vigilantes of the area. Our sources indicate that they come from Dolphin’s House and Fatima Mansions where, according to locals, "everyone knows everyone". A number of these vigilantes are selling drugs and yet they still want to be part of prominent anti-drugs group in the area such as Concerned Parents Against Drugs. This group conducts its meetings up in Mother Redcaps and the Gate. Liberty sources have revealed that it is at these meetings that they decide who gets to live in the flats. According to one person, who is on a waiting list for accommodation in these flats, "they say who gets in and who does not and in order to get a flat you must be a part of their organisation".