John Lahart
Ceist:47. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on crime gangs in the Dublin region in 2018 compared with 2017. [22381/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 23 May 2018
Ceisteanna (47)
Freagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.
An Garda Síochána have made important progress in tackling the insidious threat of organised crime, particularly in Dublin’s North Inner-City. There is ongoing contact between officials from my Department and An Garda Síochána to ensure a proactive approach is taken to bring to justice those who seek to carry out such shocking murders and prevent further loss of life where possible.
The Government, for its part, is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the necessary resources to tackle this and all forms of criminality in our State.
The House will be aware that Operation Hybrid was established to coordinate the response to violent crime in Dublin and address concerns about community safety, particularly in the North East Inner City (NEIC). This operation benefits from significant support by the Armed Support Unit.
As of 15 April 2018, the robust Garda response to the series of shootings perpetrated by violent criminals in Dublin has resulted in:
- 73 arrests;
- 13 charges in total (of which 10 charges related to murder investigations, 3 charges for related offences);
- 37 firearms seized (in relation to murder offences);
- In the region of 270 searches;
-16,514 lines of enquiry conducted with more than 57,317 high visibility checkpoints implemented with significant support from Armed Support Units; and
- A significant amount of CCTV footage, mobile phone traffic, and forensic evidence has also been examined.
Indeed, An Garda Síochána have stated that they have prevented in excess of 50 potential gang-related murders as a result of targeted policing operations since the incident at the Regency Hotel in 2016. In addition, one person has been convicted in January of this year for a feud-related murder and other criminal trials are ongoing.
Along with vigorously pursuing the investigation of shootings and other violent incidents, Gardaí have had significant successes in targeting the drugs trade, which fuels the activities of organised criminals. We have already seen a series of very significant drugs seizures, as well as important seizures of firearms and significant banking information.
We have also seen unprecedented international cooperation between Irish and Spanish authorities, leading to important arrests and seizures, with police officers from both jurisdictions participating in successful joint operations in Ireland and in Spain. In this context I would like to take this opportunity to commend the work of both the Spanish Authorities and An Garda Síochána which recently resulted in a significant seizure of drugs estimated to be valued at €3.4 million and the arrest of five individuals, four of whom are Irish citizens. These drugs were intercepted before they had a chance to be transported to Ireland.
It is also worth noting the substantial progress being made on the implementation of the Mulvey Report in helping to regenerate Dublin's North East Inner City and I will come back to this body of work later, time permitting.
I can assure the House that this Government remains entirely committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána continues to have the resources required to tackle this, and all forms of criminality, in our State.