The Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has praised sisters April and
Lisa Collins for breaking gangland rules of silence at the trial of John
Dundon, leading to his conviction for the murder of rugby player Shane
Geoghegan.Dr Leahy, without naming the two sisters, said the publicity surrounding the trial had reminded everyone of the “criminality that was lurking all around us in various parts of the city at that time”.
“Thankfully the gangland rules of ‘silence’ have been overturned by those prepared to speak words of truth and to work for truth and justice. Tributes have been paid to the gardaí, the legal system, the judiciary and the witnesses for their part in getting us to this point of being able to successfully stand up to criminal behaviour and say: ‘enough, no more, this horrible evil is not worthy of the dignity of our city’.”
In a homily at Mass in St Mary’s church, Bishop Leahy said: “Limerick city itself got its moment for drawing a line in the sand, taking stock and making new options. It came with the news of the conviction of the murder of an innocent man, the 28-year-old noted rugby player and fan, the late Shane Geoghegan.”
He said when he was appointed to Limerick, one of the things people said to him was that Limerick was the crime capital of Ireland. He said it irritated him, and yet the criminal violence and social problems of the city were part of the city’s story. “That’s why I was so pleased to hear someone say to me at an event in Dublin this week, the evening after the conviction: ‘Since yesterday, we know now, Limerick is different’.”
He said the reality is that anyone “who gets to know Limerick, the true Limerick, love Limerick”.
The bishop urged people to take solace in the significance of this latest triumph over gangland evil because it has helped “draw a line in the sand regarding a particularly insidious threat to us all and build upon the great potential of our city”.
He said he prayed that those who have previously “stayed on the dark side will cross over into the light”.
Dr Leahy said Limerick now needs to move on and re-name itself a “sanctuary city” that can become an example to other cities.
He said this would depend on personal choice — and the belief that good wins over evil and the truth sets us free: “Evil did not get its way this past week. Ultimately, those who choose the path of evil will fall.
“If we take up this opportunity and build up a sanctuary city, a people city, then others will discover hope in us. Instead of being cited as an example of a city in despair, we will be cited as an example of hope.”