Some 200 people turned out for a candlelit vigil against gangland violence in north inner-city Dublin last night.

Three murders have taken place on the capital's northside since February - including two in the space of 11 days in April.

They met at four local churches in four areas affected by the recent violence and drug use - Summerhill, Ballybough, East Wall and Sheriff Street.

 

 

All those who took part wore white ribbons, many carried candles or signs with messages of peace.

People gathered ahead of the vigil | Image: Richard Chambers

Pat Kenny Show reporter Richard Chambers was there and join the start of the procession at St Laurence O'Toole's Church on Sheriff Street.

There he met Julie outside the Church ahead of the march - she is a former heroin addict who turned her life around.

She says she knew Martin O'Rourke, who was murdered in a case of mistaken idenitity last month.

But first, he spoke with Fr Robert Colclough about what it is like to be a priest in the area right now.

The march set off just after 7.00pm, and this is what the people of Sheriff Street and Seville Place had to say on their way.

The organisation of the march was purely at ground level - but politicians did turn out in numbers.

A number of Sinn Féin TDs were in attendance, including deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Diarmuid Martin speaking at the vigil | Image: Richard Chambers

She was engaged in a conversation with the Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin just after the four communities congregated at the Monument on Sean McDermott Street.

The archbishop was asked about the fear factor in the city.

Former Dublin Lord Mayor Christy Burke was also there.

He said there needs to be a complete upheaval of life in the north inner city, otherwise the grip of fear and drugs will linger.