Finian McGrath
Question:1120 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to prevent more deaths following the recent gangland killings in the Dublin area. [19800/03]
Written Answers. - Garda Investigations.
The term "gangland killing" or organised crime is widely used by the media in referring to the nature of certain serious crimes, including a number of unlawful killings. Regardless of their classification within the media, the Garda subject all murders to detailed investigation – the fact that the people involved may have already been associated with alleged criminal activity does not lessen the gravity of the offence or the Garda's determination to solve such murders.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in the current year to date, there have been 19 murders with 11 so far detected. They add that all serious incidents are fully investigated by the Garda Síochána and all necessary resources are supplied in an effort to solve these crimes.
I am further informed that various operations have been put in place to tackle murders-shoot ings, which may be described as "gang related" and these operations are continually revised and updated. Intelligence is actively sought and collated and, in addition to uniform patrols, specialist units are dedicated to target suspects, carry out searches and gather all available evidence. Such operations are ongoing in an effort to prevent further fatalities and solve existing cases.