George Zimmerman’s lawyer Mark O’Mara calls himself a "Good Irish Catholic boy" – VIDEOS

McN31.....Interesting observations that you have come away with, however, I feel the purported facts released by the media and others on both sides of this case has become very clouded and misleading. Let the prosecutor and defense team present their case and let a jury determine guilt or innocence. Far too many of these cases have been held up to hostage in the press and on the street by the panders and the race baiters. Viz; Brawley in Dutchess County, Bell in Queens County, The shooting of the student from Pace Univ. in Westchester County and the two recent police shooting, one being an off-duty PO in White Plains, NY also in Westchester County. One underling factor in all of these cases was an obliging press readily willing to give credence to the allegations made by the rabble rousers and courts that saw fit to find those so accused, not guilty.

89west... One further bit of information regarding the Martin/Zimmerman case. Martin was walking home within the gated community where his father lived. It was Zimmerman’s perception of Martin just based on looks, not actions that caused him to act. The entire timeline from Zimmerman’s first call to 911, then to killing Martin was only 6 minutes. In addition, after Martin was shot and killed his body laid in the mortuary for three days "nameless" even though the police knew Martin's name from the first night. The mortician who prepared the body said the only injuries were the gunshot to the chest; no other markings that would indicate and extreme struggle as Zimmerman had stated. It's the overall facts and tone of this case that have so many enraged.

IrelandNorth....I think you are comparing apples and oranges when you talk about the policing of CIE/IR properties and the situation Mr. Z finds himself in. Private property rights and the security of one's home are sacrosanct where every free man has a common law right to defend themselves from any and all threats. However, I do agree with your premise about giving up liberty for security when it comes to public accommodations because it has often been said when you do so, you deserve neither safety nor freedom. Regarding the STT security staff; are these the innocuous bunch, outfitted in blue quasi military uniforms with their trousers bloused inside their boots that can be seen on or about Connolly and Heuston Stations, etc. Well, I was given the impression this security force was created by the Rail Safety Act and were State employees, rather than contract security. Does this security force have the right to detain passengers on IE property and can they use physical force to do so. Without being accused of meddling, I as a frequent user of IE rail service would like to see a dedicated Transport Police Service similar in nature to the Airport Police Service. When a youth finds himself at a crossroads with no marketable skills and an inclination to the soft life, it has often been suggested consideration should be given to a life in the priesthood or law which will forever be guaranteed to live off the fat of the land.

First career choice Roman Catholic priest? Second career choice lawyer! Out of the frying pan into the fire? (Would make a good canon lawyer I imagine. It's not as if they don't need it.) As an ex-member of the Irish Army and securityman of many years, this is a tough call for me. I appreciate safety/security, but equally civil liberties. Always seems to be a trade-off? With former eastern-bloc non-nationals now patrolling railway stations in the Irish capitol as a private paramilitary policeforce/PPP, (STT Risk Management) with power over Irish citizens courtesy of CIE/Irish Rail, I'm erring on the side of civil liberties. (Anyone know how CIE justify spending taxpayers money to contract out security to a PPP?) A stand your ground problem has existed in Ireland for many years. Troubles are, the ground they're standing is justifiably is disputed terrain. I anticipate Bob Dylan (another Zimmerman) will pen another Hurricane?)

Zimmerman has been railroaded because the State, Federal and County justice systems have been "cowed" by the "racist card" dealt by Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson. Hopefully O'Mara will weigh in and prove the truth in court: Zimmerman was attacked and acted in self-defence!

Zimmerman is lucky to get O'Mara, and we are ALL BLESSED to live in a country where one is innocent until proven guilty by proof that convinces a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. I too am a lawyer and I have defended many people because "that is what I do". Sometimes I have had to defend people that are not to my liking, but each time I do I am defending the Constitution of the United States of America. I am privileged to do that. People like O'Mara (and myself) are the only safeguard to keep us from becoming a police state. We can't change the facts, but we can make the State prove its case. Then the chips will fall where they may.

Bythebay The legal ownership of firearms in Ireland is very limited. Handguns and centerfire semi-automatic rifles, the weapons of choice for self defense are prohibited by law. The annual firearms certificate requires firearms used for sporting purposes to be stored in locked boxes at home or while in travel and it is an offense to carry a firearm outside its carrier. Clearly, the intent of the law prohibits the use of firearms for self defense. The weapons act was part of the draconian measured enacted in 1925 designed to prevent civil revolt. Further, I believe reading in the more comprehensive news reports that Mr. Z was patrolling in a "private" gated community where outsiders are restricted from entry. While this incident is played out in the press as white on black crime, their are far more incidents of black on white crime which was the reason such citizen patrols have been created in the first place. Incidentally, since this story was aired, several more heinous black on white crimes against women have come to light on the internet, however, these crimes get scant attention in the mainstream press. Re Mr. Z; I wouldn't rush to judgement until after you see the odds Powers is giving for a conviction.

Everyone is entitled to a defence lawyer, I can't see what the controversy is about that? Are people saying that, because he is unpopular, he shouldn't have legal representation?

Whatever the outcome of this case, I hope that the former "good Catholic boy" and current "brilliant lawyer" who talks about the "liberties of the Constitution" realizes that were it not for the continued deligence and viligence of out defnce forces, the great Constitution may have dropped some of these liberties. As a former Marine Corps corporal and current Legionnaire, I hope that attorney O'Mara appreciates the services of me and my fellow veterans to this great nation.

Bythebay... Can Irish college students carry guns? Does Ireland have a "stand your ground law"? Do guns outnumber Irish citizens? I think the answer to all three, is NO.

Lets not get too self rightous, in Ireland if you cross the wrong group, they blow up grandma.....That is a whole new level...

forflann... So true. This would never happen in Ireland. In the states, there are more guns than people and some states allow college students to "carry" on campus and in the dorms. Unbelievable isn’t it? The arming of Americans is glorified by the NRA; the most powerful lobby funding the GOP. The NRA recently had a convention and all the GOP candidates appeared to bow down before them, including Romney. Newt Gingrich said if elected, he would go to the U.N. with a proposal to make “bearing arms” a worldwide right. And why is that? The NRA also represents the gun manufacturers; and imagine all that potential business.(Sickening) It’s a sad time in the states with so many problems on the horizon having these people wanting to take the country back to the days of the wild west. The NRA pushed and passed the “stand your ground law “in 17 states where you can be like Zimmerman; judge, jury and executioner.

Having been a civilian patrol, in the days before cell-phones,using cb-radio, you were told NEVER to engage a suspicious person. I think Mr. Zimmerman was told to,"Stay in your car". This whole situation would not have happened in Ireland, where hand-guns are against the law, and even the Garda do not carry them. This is part of the American gun culture, and Mr. Zimmerman is not Wyatt Earp, though he seemed to imagine he was.

No matter what side of this issue you're on, I think all would agree that Zimmerman has a right to his day in court and hopefully, the truth will prevail and justice will be done.

He's has his work "cut out" for him in defending a man who has already been tried in the press and found guilty by so many people.