Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Gangland Killings.

Mr. Howlin

The brutal murder last weekend of Mr. Derek Benson brings to 18 the number of unsolved gangland killings in Dublin over the past 18 months. Gangland killings are yet again a feature of the criminal underworld in the city and it is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to outline to the House the measures he intends taking to tackle this appalling increase in cold blooded murder.

Gangland killings are clear evidence of the upsurge in the power and viciousness of criminal gangs. Organised crime in the Dublin region was severely disrupted by the concerted and effective legislation and security response initiated by the previous Government, and which in fairness was continued to some extent by the current Government. However, it appears this original success in jailing key criminal figures and forcing others to flee the jurisdiction has not been sustained. The breaking up of major criminal gangs has left a vacuum which is now being filled by a new generation of young, ruthless drug dealers who will go to whatever lengths are necessary to protect their evil trade. This re-emergence of violent drug gangs has happened while the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, has been in office.

When on this side of the House Deputy O'Donoghue claimed to have all the answers to solving our crime problems. The increasing upsurge in serious crime, such as murder and armed robbery, prove how shallow and self-serving his posturing was. As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Justice when in Opposition, the current Minister spoke on this matter in the House on 28 November 1995. The soundbite politics which were central to his policy were then in full flight. He labelled 1995 the year of the criminal. What followed was a typical pot-pourri of political point scoring and unfulfilled commitments to action, such as his call for ballistic testing of all firearms sold in the State. What action has he taken on that commitment in the three years he has been in the Department?

Unlike the Minister's performance in Opposition, I do not believe that stoking public fear in the hope of garnering publicity is the appropriate manner in which to address the shocking rise in organised crime. Well thought out policies which address the immediate needs of the Garda and which tackle the vicious cycle of poverty and drug abuse are necessary.

What discussions has the Minister had with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the serious upsurge in the activities of violent criminal gangs in Dublin City? Have legislative or resourcing proposals been put to the Minister by the Garda and will the Minister take action on foot of those proposals? Will the Minister explain why the first person to bear the brunt of the changes in the bail laws was a 13 year-old who could not come up with £3 in court yesterday, while on the same day three individuals charged with the importation of illegal drugs with a value of £15 million saw their court case collapse due to the absence of a certificate from the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Will the Minister explain to the House the co-ordinated measures the Government intends putting in place to eradicate the poverty which grips so many working class communities and which has a direct link to the number of young people drawn into a life of crime and violence, the ultimate consequence of which can be violent death?

The spectre of organised crime is once again dangerously on the rise in society, including in this city. The Minister has made the ridiculous claim that crime levels have dropped to those of the 1950s. The facts I have outlined contradict this errant nonsense. The Minister should seriously address the upsurge in organised crime and take the opportunity to outline a comprehensive response rather than issue the characteristic soundbites to which we have become accustomed.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am glad to be given this opportunity to address the issue of the recent murders in Dublin City.

First, the Garda authorities have informed me that provisional figures show that for the country as a whole in the period from 1 January to date, a total of 18 murders have been recorded, 11 of which have been detected to date.

It is opportune to point out that all violent crimes, particularly murders, are given the highest priority by the Garda and are the subject of rigorous Garda investigation. However, I should emphasise that not all the circumstances of some recent cases are yet known. I am sure the Deputy will agree that it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to comment regarding ongoing Garda investigations. While there has been much media speculation about some recent murders, the identification of the motive in all such cases and the evidence available in support are, as the Deputy will be aware, key elements of the investigation and prosecution processes and this clearly constrains what I can say.

The Deputy will also appreciate that while the term "gangland killing" is widely used by the media, it does not correspond to the manner in which the Garda classify such crimes. In any event murder is murder whatever the circumstances surrounding it. It is one of the most despicable crimes known to mankind. While it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the motives involved in specific cases there are, of course, grave concerns that organised criminal gangs may be involved in some recent murders. I wish to make it clear that the Garda will do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

Organised crime by its very nature creates a climate of fear, not only for the general public but also among criminal elements. We are all aware that there are huge profits involved in organised criminal activity, in particular the vile and evil drugs trade. To the criminal gangs involved in these activities money is power and in pursuit of this money and power they are prepared to take whatever action is necessary, however ruthless or barbaric, to protect their positions.

In this context criminal gangs, both in Ireland and internationally, have used and will continue to use violence. This, regrettably, is nothing new. This use of violence includes intimidation, both verbal and physical, beatings and occasionally murder. This use of violence and intimidation as a sanction by and within criminal groups can be very problematic for law enforcement agencies everywhere.

The victims in these cases are frequently members of criminal groups and, accordingly, the Garda can encounter difficulties in obtaining information. Even in some cases when the victims are innocent outsiders, unfortunately, the element of fear is still there. Despite these difficulties every effort is made by the Garda to investigate these crimes. In particular, as I mentioned, murder is given the highest priority regardless of the circumstances or speculation regarding individual cases.

For my part, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and indeed while I was the Opposition spokesman on Justice, my commitment to dealing with the twin menace of drugs and organised crime is something for which I make no apology. My policy is and will continue to be to tackle this problem with tough resolution.

Never in the history of the State has An Garda Síochána been better resourced or equipped. Garda strength is heading towards an all time historic high of 12,000. My anti-crime policies are yielding the anticipated good results with a further fall of 5% in crime figures last year leading to a cumulative fall of 21% since the Government took office. In addition, we are on target for increasing prison capacity in an unprecedented way. I also believe that the new restrictions on bail should prove particularly effective in helping tackle organised and all other crime.

This policy of strong legislation and increased resources, backed up by tough enforcement, is vital to tackle drugs and organised crime. Legislation, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996 which I introduced while in Opposition, and the recent Criminal Justice Act, 1999 which substantially strengthened the law in relation to drug trafficking provides the backbone for a modern criminal justice system geared to cope with the challenges posed by organised criminal gangs.

The achievements of the Garda Síochána in general and the specialist units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation are well documented and there is no need for me to go into them on this occasion. Suffice to say the Deputy can be assured that whatever response is required from a law enforcement perspective will be forthcoming.

Of course, as I have said before on numerous occasions, the drugs problem cannot be solved by law enforcement measures alone. The correlation between drugs, crime and disadvantage are well documented and in this context a multi-agency partnership approach to dealing with the problem at a local level is the cornerstone of the Government's national drugs strategy.

The Government's approach to tackling the drugs problem is the right way to go. Our legislative and law enforcement response to the twin menace of drugs and organised crime has been acknowledged as among the most effective in Europe. Our partnership with local communities is beginning to turn the tide in tandem with this.

However, I am sure the Deputy will acknowledge that even the most effective policies cannot totally prevent the use of violence and, even murder, by organised criminal groups. This is an international problem, not just an Irish one, but that does not mean there is any room for complacency. The activities of criminal gangs are a cause of deep concern and it will be clear from my record and that of the Government that we will not shrink from our responsibilities in this. I know from my discussions with the Garda Commissioner how seriously he views crimes such as those referred to by the Deputy and he has assured me that no effort will be spared to solve these crimes and bring those involved to justice.

Deputy Howlin was a member of that element of the rainbow coalition Government which opposed tooth and nail every measure I put forward when in Opposition to address our antiquated bail laws.

Mr. Howlin

Untrue.

Mr. O'Donoghue

Likewise Deputy Howlin and his colleagues in that Government cancelled the project for Castlerea prison and, thus, prolonged the end of the scourge of the revolving door.

Mr. O'Dea

That is true.

Mr. Howlin

Zero tolerance means 18 murders, more soundbites, no action and zero Minister.

Mr. O'Donoghue

The Labour Party, in Government, did absolutely nothing to deal with the spiralling crime problem.

Mr. Howlin

Criminal gangs are rampant in Dublin.

Mr. O'Donoghue

To its cost it ignored what its own supporters told it and this was subsequently highlighted in ballot boxes. If the Labour Party had not responded as a rottweiler would to a poodle while in Government, it might be in Government and we might be in Opposition.

Mr. Howlin

The Minister should have stuck to his script.