It has been clear for some time that the increasingly vicious feud between two Dublin criminal families represents a direct challenge to the rule of law and order throughout the state.
Gary Hutch was the first to die on the Costa del Sol in Spain last September, and the killing of his relative, Gareth Hutch, in Dublin’s north inner city yesterday, brought the grim total to seven.
The last six killings have all followed in and around Dublin in the space of just over three months, and there can be no doubt that a deeply alarming and escalating spiral of violence is developing.
In some ways, the assassinations can be compared to the bitter feuds between rival paramilitary organisations which previously flared up from time to time north of the border.
However, on this occasion, there is no pretence of a political context and the entire vendetta is based on greed over the enormous sums of money involved in the drug trade and a basic level of personal hatred between the rival groups
One veteran figure, Gerry Hutch, nicknamed The Monk, built up his criminal empire with the assistance of his extended family over a period of decades and became feared across Dublin.
However, his faction came into conflict with an even more ambitious gangster who has an international reach, the Spanish-based Christy Kinahan, together with his relatives, and the result has been unprecedented carnage.
What is striking is that the last four killings have all been directed against the Hutch side in adjoining parts of north Dublin, with one an apparent case of mistaken identity, amid reports that the Kinahans will not stop until their opponents have been effectively wiped out.
Despite this firm pattern, and specific evidence that the latest victim, Gareth Hutch, had repeatedly complained that his life was at serious risk, the perpetrators have been confident enough to proceed with their activities.
A comprehensive response from the authorities is now urgently required, and it is essential that senior Garda officers have the resources necessary to bring the key suspects before the courts.
It is equally vital that the circumstances which have allowed the drug dealers to gain such an evil grip on inner city communities are also addressed.
The impression has been allowed to grow that initially the Hutch family and more recently the Kinahan cartel had effectively become untouchable.
It is up to the Irish government, including taoiseach Enda Kenny, who yesterday spoke of his shock at the bloodshed, to demonstrate that any such perception is without foundation.
