Intruder shot dead, drug dealing in hospitals, gangland crime and murder, hitman murders bouncer in front of his wife. All of these stories make for depressing reading at the breakfast table.

The government appears to be losing the fight against crime. In particular, figures indicate that violent crime levels are rocketing. Murder, rape, gangland crime and various other types of serious crime are reaching epidemic proportions. The latest gangland killings brings the tally to 9 the number of people that have been murdered in this so-called 'turf war'.

But it's not making the headlines like "Bryan Kennedy sings for Ireland" would do. Gangland violent crime invariably doesn't happen where I live. If you're reading blogs, it more than likely isn't happening near you either. As the French would say at the moment, "Loin des yeux, loin de coeur".

I used to laugh at older people when they would say that drugs are the root of all evil. Now, I'm coming around to this view too. The amount of crime that has its origins in the drug world is astonishing.

It will be interesting to see the party manifestos for the next general election. Maybe they'll get a few tips from Messrs de Villepin and Chirac.

Published by Colm.