Ms Patricia Flynn:

Research into gangland activity is very limited. That is why we advocate more research in this area, on its causes and its effects on the community. We have a lot of anecdotal evidence, but we do not have a great deal of specific empirical evidence. We need a cross- or multidisciplinary approach to research which would take in the whole gamut of services and community support groups on the ground. We need to talk to these people and the wide range of professionals working in the field, particularly An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service. It needs to be a multidisciplinary body of research.