Dark week on Leeside
A recent assault where a man was beaten and set alight in Mayfield is just one of a recent spate of violent crimes in Cork city.
Father of three Keith Greaney is in a serious condition in CUH after he was dragged from his bed and assaulted by three men armed with a machete and iron bars. He was then doused in petrol and set alight.
Gardaí have interviewed a number of people as part of an ongoing investigation but no arrests have been made as of going to print.
The attack on the 23 year old came just days after a CIT student, 20 year old Cameron Blair, died after being stabbed in the throat while attending a party on the Bandon Road.
He was allegedly attacked by someone trying to re-enter the premises. No arrests have been made.
Elsewhere, an elderly lady was injured in Blackpool last week after a collision with a juvenile driving a stolen car.
Violent crimes among young people are often accredited to desensitisation as the result of too much consumption of violent media, such as television and video games but senior lecturer in Criminology at UCC, Orla Lynch disagrees with this theory. Dr Lynch said: “This is a major generalisation. While violent video games and TV impact the way individuals think, feel and behave, there is not a direct causal relationship between witnessing violence and carrying out violence.”
Dr Lynch believes that media consumption alone is not enough to desensitise a person, or provoke a sudden tendency toward violent crime.
“Desensitisation is not a simple process and while consuming significant amounts of violent media can impact on empathy and aggression in the short term, other factors are also important such as parental supervision, and positive role models,” continued Dr Lynch.
According to Dr Lynch several violent crimes over a short period do not necessarily indicate an increase in crime, or a violence epidemic. Dr Lynch said: “A cluster of violence is not evidence of an increase in crime more generally, and given that each incident is unrelated, this needs to be looked at cautiously.”
Gardaí investigating the assault on Mr Greaney are appealing to anyone who was in the area of Dunard from 3-4.30am on 20 January.
They are particularly interested in any road users who may have dash cam footage or any persons who may have CCTV of the surrounding areas.
Gardaí ask that anyone with information contact them at Mayfield Garda Station on 021-4558510, or on the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666111 or any garda station.