Mr. Drew Harris:

I will pass over to Mr. Twomey shortly in order that he can address some of the operational details. It was in August of last year that these difficulties started to arise, when a drug gang entered into this vicious feud. The optimism and room for hope that I hope to convey is that Christy Mangan and I have made a commitment to support that area through strong and visible policing. We have not reneged on that. We have kept up our focus and we have had successes. Individuals will be before the courts for all sorts of offences, including some very serious offences. People have been charged. Serious offences have been detected. We will keep the pressure on. We recognise the corrosive impact that this is having on the area and we are alive to it in the context of what we can do, at the centre to support the policing effort and to support the local community. We are particularly aware of the upcoming Fleadh in August and the impact that can have in providing a positive image of the town and how we will support that and make sure that it is a successful event on our part, in protecting it and ensuring that people can go about their lawful business. Mr. Twomey has been leading the national operational response.