Vol. 560 No. 5
16 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to deal with the renewed outbreak of gangland killings; the number of deaths which have been attributed by the Garda to gangland killings since the beginning of 2002; the number of such cases in which prosecutions have been initiated; the steps being taken to secure the break up of these gangs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/03]
34 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he intends to put forward to address the recent rise in drug related crime. [2995/03]
37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the new steps he intends to take to combat the obvious increase in organised crime throughout the country; if he intends to deploy extra resources in any particular fashion to meet ongoing meets; if he has given particular directives to combat the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2986/03]
134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he proposes to take to restore the rule of law with particular reference to ensuring that organised crime gangs do not continue to engage each other in guerrilla warfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3104/03]
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he proposes legislative changes to make the country safer for law abiding citizens and less habitable for criminal gangs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3116/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 34, 37, 134 and 146 together.
The terms "gangland killing" or "organised crime" are widely used by the media in referring to the nature of certain serious crimes, including a number of unlawful killings perpetrated recently. It is often qualified by the suggestion that the victim was "known to the gardaí". While this speculation is understandable, it does not correspond to the manner in which the Garda Síochána classifies crime or individual offences.
As I informed the House last week, there are indications that a significant number of recent criminal outrages, including some brutal killings, could be categorised as being organised criminal or group activity. All unlawful deaths and violent crimes are subject to detailed investigation by the Garda regardless of the circumstances of how they occurred. The fact that a person may, or may not, be associated with alleged criminal activity does not lessen the gravity of the offence committed.
The identification of the motive and the gathering of evidence available in its support are key elements of the investigation and prosecution processes. Experience in this jurisdiction, and elsewhere, has shown that it is often difficult for the relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice, having regard to the intimidation and violence used within criminal circles as a sanction.
