Rest In Peace Andy Hadjicostis

For us it was a time when we grew up and left behind our careless innocence. It was a time when violence came close to us all, not only to beloved friends and family, but to the community as a whole.

That time was the night when our friend Andy Hadjicostis was murdered. January 11th, 2010. Not even two weeks into the new year.

His life was cut short in the most unimaginable, destructive manner which forces us all to choose sides. Will we continue to numbly accept the casual violence of car bombs, death threats, murders and crime? Or is it time also to declare a war on those who would violate the community's safety?

Is it finally time to stamp out organised crime? Put them behind bars and take away their mobile phones, clamp down in a serious way on security in prisons, and just stop them once and for all? It's time for the authorities and the community to end the power of the men who pull the trigger, who make their getaway on motorcycles, who wreak havoc...for money.

Reinforce the police with considerable resources and cut out corruption, these are measures that would make the community safer and reduce crime. If the criminals get the message that the police will take them down once and for all, they will be less willing to take the blatant risks they are taking now. Even the Attorney General had his life threatened in 2009. It seems there are no limits to their violence or their reach.

Andy was no anonymous victim of organised crime. He was a dear friend with whom I grew up, and the pain that everyone I know is going through is because Andy touched so many lives and helped literally hundreds of people on a personal level and in their careers.

So rest in peace, Andy, know that we loved you and may your spirit be finally free.

Chief Editor Sarah Fenwick