TRAVELLER resource centre Pavee Point has appealed for calm following Monday’s triple shooting in Mulhuddart in which an eight-month-old baby was injured.
The advocacy group’s spokesperson Martin Collins spoke out on RTE radio warning that if the row is not resolved, “it could be even worse next time”.
Baby John Collins, his mother Lynn Doyle (29), and his 17-year-old uncle, Matthew Collins, were all hospitalised after being shot in a daytime attack at Parslickstown Green.
Collins said if the feud was not diffused “it has the potential to escalate and it could be even worse next time, where potentially lives could be lost”.
He urged those involved to “see sense, come back to the table and to understand that violence and conflict is not inevitable, it is entirely preventable”.
The local community was left reeling after Monday’s shooting. The baby, who was in his mother’s arms when he was hit, is being treated at Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
He was hit by up to 16 pellets in the indiscriminate attack and suffered a broken leg. The family were putting up their Christmas tree at the time.
All three casualties suffered gunshot injuries which have been described as non-life threatening.
Collins said yesterday a visible garda presence is an important deterrent as it would help to try to contain the situation and keep feuding families apart.
He said there were “various attempts over the last number of months and indeed years to try and find a resolution through mediation” which have been unsuccessful.
The manager of the Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group, Catherine Joyce, has also offered to mediate in the dispute.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “horrified” to learn of the shooting which was carried out in his constituency. He added: “This was a shocking incident.
“I know the gardai are conducting a detailed inquiry and it’s important that they now be given the space to complete their work.”
