Heroism and inspiration shine from a grimy street

Sunday Tribune, 11 July

The couple from Limerick were spoiling for a row.
"It's you lot in the Dublin media that give Limerick a bad name."
"Us? What about the gangs?"
"You only ever print bad news about Limerick."
"Is it our fault Limerick's gangsters are exceptionally vicious? What about those toddlers who were firebombed in their car? What about Roy Collins? Should we ignore these stories just to spare your feelings?"
I knew I was getting nowhere with them, so I made a joke about Angela's Ashes and the conversation changed. This exchange took place in the southwest last weekend, but it's happened several times before, whenever someone from Limerick has heard I'm from the "Dublin media". There's a perception that we have it in for 'Stab City'. That we only ever print bad news about it.
If that's the case, then last week's papers would suggest the "Dublin media" has it in for the entire country – and not just for Limerick. There was bad news everywhere.
On Wednesday, I read a Donegal coroner's plea for a national debate on suicide. The rate has increased 25% since the recession began.
I read about murders in Dublin, heroin-dealing in Carlow and repossessions everywhere. I read that Nama's initial figures were wrong. I read that long-term unemployment is here to stay.
There was some good news, but it rang hollow. Fianna Fáil says its financial plan is working. Recovery is better than expected. It doesn't feel like it.
If the government-sponsored 'good news' was intended to inspire us, it didn't work – and we desperately need some inspiration right now. Half a million have been robbed of a living by our gangster bankers. We need to know that it is possible for the little man to fight back.
That inspiration has not come from the sources we should expect it from. Our leader, Brian Cowen, reportedly made an "inspirational" speech to his parliamentary party last week. Why couldn't he give us a similar speech?
Another leader, Michael O'Leary, is a man who could inspire us to achieve great things. Last week, he was again wasting his talent by being negative. He said he was pulling winter flights because of the tourist tax. His company is also making it difficult for ash-stranded passengers to claim back their expenses. O'Leary is one of the most creative business leaders Ireland has ever produced. Why can't he be creative on our behalf now?
Last week, I found myself wondering if this country had lost its gift for inspiration.
Then, on Thursday, that inspiration arrived unheralded and from an unlikely corner. A hero emerged from Southill in Limerick. Steve Collins is his name. He is worth 10 O'Learys and 100 Cowens.
Prime Time's 'The Collins Family' was one of the most outstanding documentaries RTE has ever produced. Steve and Carmel's son, Roy, was murdered by the McCarthy-Dundon gang because a 14-year-old girl was refused entry to his family's pub. Roy had two children. When you see his picture it feels like you know him: he has an open, humorous face. The face of a man you could have a pint with.
Despite death threats, the family fought his killers in the courts. It's difficult to fully understand the torment they are suffering. The price of courage has been a son and a €75k 'contract' on Steve's head.
"It's just lose, lose, lose, lose – it's a kick every time," says Steve. As he is speaking, a group of morons drive by and shout abuse at him.
There is one moment that sums up the pain he's enduring. He and Carmel are sitting by the Shannon. Steve talks about giving Roy's fishing gear to his friends.
"It's like every day you're giving another little bit of him away." He breaks down and the sound of those words catching in his throat is deeply affecting. Here is a tough man whose heart has been ripped open.
Carmel's moment is equally devastating, due to its understated delivery. "I often say I'd be better off down there beside Roy… Maybe if I got him cremated I could take him away with us… but I won't leave here."
Watching the Collins family disintegrate was a profoundly sad experience. That sadness was followed by anger. I'm sure I was not the only person watching to want a State hit squad to wipe out the McCarthy-Dundons. This is OUR country. Why should Steve Collins be subject to their 'laws'?
The State owes the Collins family its gratitude for standing up to evil. They have my gratitude for dissipating some of my cynicism. Steve's assertion that he would "do it all over again" shows that true heroism still exists. I hope Cowen, O'Leary and the rest of our so-called leaders watched Steve Collins's masterclass in leadership. His family are proof that it's still possible to be inspired by our country.
In Ireland, you go looking for inspiration from your leaders – and find it shining on a grimy street.
I hope the couple from Limerick are reading this. Your city may have produced the McCarthy-Dundons, but it's also home to the Collinses. While we have people like them living among us, this nation can achieve anything.

dkenny@tribune.ie