Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

We are considering the scheduling of new offences of directing a criminal gang and membership of a criminal gang. Under the 2006 legislation there is the existing offence of participation in a criminal gang. It is the intention – subject to legal advice – to link that in some way to the Special Criminal Court, given that there is strong anecdotal evidence on the intimidation of witnesses, and the fear of witnesses, especially in the context of the murder of Roy Collins. We are considering the matter and I have already had significant meetings with the Garda Commissioner, the Secretary General of my Department and the Attorney General. We had a two-hour meeting yesterday to see how we can proceed. A further meeting of officials from all of those agencies will take place in the coming days to bring forward some of the changes I indicated are necessary in the aftermath of recent events.

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