Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is the problem. That is the misunderstanding, because there is. Rationality and reason do not intersect in a moment like that when someone has been ostracised for years. The Minister would have to literally have done a study of all of those people who engaged. She would need to have had several therapeutic interventions with all of those people who engaged to understand their intent and understanding of what they were doing and why they were doing it. Some people who lack purpose felt that, all of a sudden, there was a purpose. Some people felt that they were finally standing up for themselves against something. The Minister would need a full analysis of the intentions of people.

Of course that does not excuse it. It does not mean that somebody should not be held accountable. However, we cannot end people’s driver towards this stuff if we do not understand the personal circumstances that lead to it. The idea that people can grow up in a community and some will commit crimes and some will not was in my own household. My brother had no involvement in crime but I very much did. People are different. Their sensitivities to the world and perspectives are different. The experiences they may have within the family, on the street and within their community are all different. Therefore, I do not think that statement is fair. That type of statement, saying there are no personal circumstances that could be the root of cause of why people will go out in a rage and get involved in something like that, does not allow us to address it. That goes back to the first conversation around causes.