escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links for full page descriptions

Archived Press Releases 2007 18th July 2007

(On Behalf of Kevin McNeil)

A Year on and Still a Weak "nowhere" Government.

(18th July 2007)

Monday July the 16th marked one year since the brutal and gutless murder of our mum and grandmother.

Lois Dear was a dedicated mum, grandmother, school teacher and friend to many. As disgusted as I was with her murder, it is also the total disregard from our political regime that disgusts me, it seems the law and order policy keeps finding its way into the too hard basket.

One year on no attempt has been made to stem this violence by way of harsher deterrents or getting a decent brains trust together to work on this.

We have had a prisoner (Baker) being able to answer back to the justice system and appeal his lengthy jail term, completely ignorant of the fact of what he did and why he should never see the outside of prison.

We have another prisoner (Reihana) needing a life saving operation - why I ask? Weren’t the two lives he selfishly took enough to say, "that’s life fellow, we will put you on the waiting list, if you live through your sentence then you may have your operation."

Helen Clark kicking all previous victims in the guts, by turning up and supporting the family of Falole Muliaga, this was a tragic loss and condolences to the family.

It’s clearly visible that votes do matter but having to support a conglomerate in the likes of Mercury Energy is pretty pathetic.

Just as well victims are survivors there is certainly little comfort that politicians can or even want to make change for the good of victims or our country.

We have a general election happening in 2008. One can only hope common sense prevails for the good and safety of all New Zealanders - law and order should be at the forefront of all our minds.

As I see it one year on we have seen no changes toward law and order, still Garth McVicar and the team at the Sensible Sentencing Trust are working hard to help effect change for the good of us New Zealanders and victims rights, we can only thank them for helping us, the victims of hideous crimes.

On Monday July the 16th our family travelled to Tokoroa and helped the teachers and pupils at Strathmore School unveil a plaque in remembrance of mum, a lovely gesture by a very loving and caring community.

It’s just a pity our Government and legislators were not as caring towards the Community they represent.

Rest in peace mum (Lois Dear) I have been proud to have been your son.

Regards,

Kevin McNeil
son of murdered Tokorora Primary School Teacher, Lois Dear