Natasha McShane’s alleged baseball-bat attacker has 13-page rap sheet

I am very proud of being of Irish heritage, but aren't all of you, including Kate Hickey who wrote this story, being just a little over-the-top with tunnel vision? There is NOTHING here that I read that says these women were attacked or selected for attacking because one was Irish, so why is this presented as if it was Irishness of someone that led to the attack?. Some of these comments seem to be implying that all Irish who came to America were saints and behave like angels. Well, any of us who studied our history know that is absolutely not the case and that there have been Irish criminals and hooligans and murderers who came to America as well. What happened here is tragic and disgusting and heart wrenching, but it has nothing to do with the ethnic heritage of any of the parties involved. This sort of racial profiling and racial hatred is precisely what my (our?)ancestors dealt with a hundred and fifty years ago when they faced signs that said "HELP WANTED - IRISH NEED NOT APPLY" You are putting forth exactly the kind of cruel nastiness and hatefulness that those kids threw at Phoebe Prince in Massachusetts! Disgusting!!! You should all be ashamed of yourselves for behaving and speaking so badly - and doubly ashamed for referring to yourselves as Irish with that much malice toward strangers in your hearts and minds.

Chicago - the next Detriot. Really? Have you ever been to Detroit? There are many a reason young Irish like Natasha flock to Chicago as opposed to Detroit. Take yer politics elsewhere please - this is tragic; not political. Next thing we know you'll be blaming Obama.

Searlit: The bat-wielder's arrests (28 I think) aren't "alleged," they are a matter of record, as are his 3 felonies and brief prison terms. And you are correct that the legal system is too lenient. Most of the violent crime in America is committed by half a percent of the population. It's not 20 guys committing a crime each; it's one guy committing 20 crimes. The City of Chicago should pay all the medical bills for these two girls. No matter how expensive the treatment, the cost would be only a drop in the bucket compared to the graft, bribery, and kickbacks that Chicago politicians deal with daily. IrishAndProud: The two are not here illegally; they're Puerto Ricans.

It is becoming a disgrace in this world as to what people will do because they are bored. This is not looking good for America. The Irish migrated to America for a better life and now look what is happening. I know this because my great-grandparents did. Phoebe Prince committed suicide because of being bullied, and now Natasha McShane was beaten to be left for dead. This kind of violence has to stop. What has the Irish ever done to America. If anything we are the people you would want to be friends with. I hope the two you committed this crime get what is coming to them. I use to be against the death pentaly but my mind was changed long ago. I do hope Natasha and her friend recover to there fullest and show that you can't keep an Irishwoman down.

I don't know how many times crimes like this have to happen before these violent offenders are kept in jail. This man had already been arrested many times (allegedly). May both of these women make a full recovery. Once again, a crime that could have been prevented, if our legal system worked correctly.

We in Chgo have a fundraiser going to raise funds to help with the ongoing medical costs being incurred for both women. All of us are shocked by this attack, especially our Irish community. I"M damn sure these SOBs will get their just rewards. I for one would like to have batting practice with these two offenders!!!!!

Is anyone else already wondering what I'M wondering? That is, if these two perps aren't by chance illegal aliens? Regardless, if anything happens to Natasha I'm all for the DEATH penalty, for BOTH of them.

Pardon me... the student mumbled about how he could NOT forgive his attackers but mumbled more about how thankful he was to the Irish people and their support for him. When I saw him on TV, he came across as a lovely young man, despite his predicament and injuries. OK, sorry, I got it mixed up. >>> http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/why-guido-finds-it-hard-to--forgive-322099.html <<< but as I remember it, he did mumble forgiveness on a lter visit. I stand to be corrected. Prayerfully, I hope and trust in Jesus that Natasha does not have the same fate.

Chicago is the home of corrupt leaders and their actions can only create a trickle down effect influencing the masses. Many say Chicago is the next Detroit...

This type of crime is not limited to the USA. A young Italian student was walking in Dublin's picturesque Fairview Park a few years ago and was set upon by drunken youths with nothing better to do. He was hit on the head with a glass bottle for no reason at all and ended up being brain-damaged for life. He recovered somewhat but lives his life in a wheel-chair. He returned to Ireland years later to excruciatingly mumble out words to say he had forgiven his attackers. He is one person we ordinary people of Ireland look up to, to find a way to forgive unforgiveable crimes.

McNabb expresses what we all in disgust feel. May Natasha (and Jurich) recover fully to live a fruitful life.

After the fair trials to which they are entitled by law, I hope that the "lovers" get maximum sentences. I think that after a 13-page rap sheet and continuing gang affiliation it's time to take the bum off the streets for as long as the law allows. Although if it were left strictly up to me, he'd get an equal number of shots to the head with a bat...