Gang Warfare in Kimmage: Cinema Blamed for Street Fights

Evidence of escalating gang violence in the Kimmage district came to light when three youths were charged with causing a breach of the peace. The accused, John Behan (18), of Kells Rd., Crumlin, a messenger; Patrick Maher (18), of Downpatrick Rd., Kimmage, an apprentice fitter; and James Byrne (19), of Bangor Rd., Crumlin, a messenger, appeared before Dublin District Court. Senior Justice Little bound the youths over for 12 months, stipulating that they refrain from attending cinemas and associating with each other during that period.

The charges stemmed from an incident on Sunday night outside the Sundrive Road Picture House. Garda J. Smith testified that at approximately 10:50 PM, as patrons were leaving the cinema, he observed a man running down the road pursued by a crowd of approximately 300 youths. Behan overtook the man and tripped him, causing the crowd to converge and begin assaulting him. Garda Smith managed to fight through the mob and release the man, who fled the scene.

“Conditions Intolerable”

Garda Smith described the ongoing violence around the Sundrive Road Picture House, noting a “regular system of fighting” involving around 300 youths, all familiar with one another. He recounted that Behan claimed the attack was retaliation for an assault by the same man and his associates earlier that week. Behan presented an overcoat with an 18-inch rip near the shoulder, purportedly inflicted during the previous altercation.

Patrick Maher corroborated Behan’s account, stating that the man had used a knife to rip Behan’s coat and that a group of his friends had attacked them. Mr. J. F. R. MacDonnell, Chief Probation Officer, confirmed that street battles were frequent on Sundrive Road and Clonmacnoise Road, with stones and other missiles being used. Garda Smith added that the district’s street lamps were mostly destroyed, and efforts to install a public telephone were repeatedly thwarted by vandalism.

Cinematic Influence

Chief Probation Officer McDonnell emphasized the detrimental impact of cinema on youth behavior, suggesting that the boys were emulating gangster films. “They set out to do what they see in the gangster films,” he remarked. Justice Little expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions in the district, comparing it to the notorious Bowery in New York. He stressed the need for more male probation officers to prevent the situation from worsening.

Justice Little denounced criticism of the Court’s measures, which included sending boys to schools for discipline. He reiterated his calls for the Minister for Justice to address the issue, highlighting the recurrent nature of such cases in the court. “What these boys need is supervision, and plenty of it,” he concluded.

The case underscores the pressing issue of gang violence in Dublin’s Kimmage district, exacerbated by the influence of violent cinema, and the urgent need for effective intervention to restore order.