Role of Vigilante Justice

The Searcher illustrates the role that vigilantes play in the law system in this small town in Western Ireland. As a newcomer to Ardnakelty, Cal is told repeatedly that there is little crime there. Cal begins to sense that is not true when he is told that someone or something is killing sheep. He realizes as he questions more deeply into Brendan’s murder that there is a crime in Ardnakelty, but it is generally handled by vigilantes.

Some of the residents of Ardnakelty criticize Cal because he wants his handgun permit. The residents brag about the low crime rate of the area. O’Malley tells Cal that most of their crime involves speeding and drunk driving: “They do be hoors for the speeding, round here” (84-85). He adds there is some property theft, such as people steal heating oil. There are a...