Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I join with fellow Members in sympathising with the family of Shane Geoghegan and the Garryowen rugby club. I played for a brief period with Garryowen and can empathise with their genuine outpouring of grief. The rugby club is a large extended family and although I only played briefly with the team, I still feel attached to the ethos of Garryowen. I can fully understand why people were so shattered following the death of Shane Geoghegan.

Gangland crime in Limerick is about to spread around the region. Very shortly, gangland crime will be prevalent in places like north Kerry, Clare, south Tipperary and other parts of the Shannon region. The gangs in Limerick already control drug distribution in the region and control the drug distribution network in north Kerry. It is only a matter of time, in the absence of action, before the gangs establish networks in other parts of the region. What is currently happening in Limerick could happen in other towns in the region. The Minister and others with responsibility must take action or there will be a major problem in the short term. I appeal to the Minister to put in place measures to deal with what is happening in Limerick and prevent the spread of such violence throughout the region.

The budget for Operation Anvil has been increased by €1 million but the overall budget next year for Garda overtime has been reduced by €28 million, leaving it at €80 million. I appeal to the Minister to ensure the Limerick Garda division does not have to absorb its share of this overtime loss next year. The overtime funding will have to be shared across all divisions and I ask the Minister to ensure overtime funding for Limerick will be increased if at all possible.

The Minister mentioned that although the number of gardaí in Limerick has increased by 62, this is well short of the 100 personnel recommended by Mr. John Fitzgerald approximately nine months ago in a report referred to by a number of speakers. He recommended an increase of at least 100 but the increase at this stage is only 62, which is not adequate. Perhaps the Minister will clarify the figures later.

Reference has been made to the Criminal Assets Bureau's regional office targeting criminal assets in Limerick. As I understand it, only two members of the Criminal Assets Bureau work full-time in Limerick. Given the number of gangs with a probable total membership of up to 100, two members of the Criminal Assets Bureau is not adequate.

A number of good proposals have been made by Deputy Charlie Flanagan. I compliment him on bringing forward the motion and on being so clear on the issue. The Minister will have our full support for the covert surveillance legislation and increased use of the Special Criminal Court. The intimidation of juries and witnesses occurred in the past in Limerick and the situation is even worse now.

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