Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
127. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her actions to tackle recent gangland feuding between criminal gangs across County Dublin, including the resources being spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10227/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Taoiseach and I recently met with senior Garda management and were briefed on the significant progress being made in investigations into recent gang-related murders in the Dublin region. As these appalling crimes are the subject of ongoing Garda investigations it would not be appropriate for me to make any more detailed comment at this time. There are very real challenges in counteracting those who are determined to perpetuate a cycle of mindless violence without any regard to human life or public safety. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that An Garda Síochána has in the past successfully faced-down criminal gangs who believed they were above the law. I can assure the Deputy that I remain committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána have the necessary resources to confront and oppose the violent thugs who seek to perpetrate such heinous crimes in our State.
At the request of the Commissioner earlier this year, the Government moved decisively to strengthen Garda resources to deal with gang related crime in the Dublin area, with a special allocation of €5 million to support concentrated policing measures, including steps to establish a dedicated Armed Support Unit (ASU) in the Dublin area. The Dublin ASU is in the process of being set up and trained. However, it must be clearly understood that pending the full establishment of the new unit, arrangements have been put in place so that the necessary armed support is being provided on an overtime basis. I am being kept up to date on this work and I can assure the Deputy that the establishment of the Unit, including all of the necessary training and preparatory arrangements, is being progressed as a matter of priority. The Garda response includes highly visible policing, the use of armed checkpoints and targeted and intelligence based operations, to disrupt and prevent incidents as well as detecting and prosecuting those involved. I should add that, contrary to suggestions made in some quarters, there has been no diminution in these operations in recent weeks and the Garda authorities have assured me that the opposite is in fact the case.
The Deputy will also be aware that under the new Programme for Government we are pressing forward with an accelerated programme of Garda recruitment with a view to achieving a Force of 15,000 members. This is a central element of the Government's anti-crime strategy and we have already made provision for the recruitment of 1,150 new Gardai since we reopened the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. I might add that the Programme for Government also commits to ensuring that Garda specialist units, such as the armed units which respond to gang-related violence, are enabled to operate at full strength.
I remain in close contact with the Commissioner and will respond promptly if she feels there are further measures, including in relation to Garda resources, that could be taken to oppose and dismantle these criminal networks, and the evil drugs trade which is at the heart of much of their activities.
