Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I deplore the recent killings. They are further evidence of the callous disregard for human life and community safety shown by members of criminal gangs. The Garda Síochána is carrying out intensive investigations of all these killings and has made good progress in respect of a number of them. The Garda Commissioner has kept me briefed on these events.

In setting the policing priorities for the Garda Síochána in 2010, I have asked the Garda Commissioner to continue the focus of the force on serious crime, in particular organised crime. This priority is reflected in the Garda policing plan for this year which has just been published.

It has to be accepted that, as is the case in every jurisdiction, there can be considerable difficulties for police investigators in obtaining evidence relating to gangland murders. Associates of a victim of a gangland killing are often criminals themselves and do not co-operate with Garda investigations. They frequently fail to co-operate even when they themselves are the victims of violence. There is often no connection or personal association between the victim and the perpetrator. Witnesses may be also subject to high levels of intimidation to influence them not to come forward.

It was against this background that last year I introduced a series of strong but necessary anti-gangland legislative measures, in particular, the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act. I have consistently made it clear that it will inevitably take time for the full effects of that legislation to become clear. The Garda Commissioner has assured me that the Garda Síochána has been making full use of the legislation since it was enacted in order to build up criminal cases against gangland figures. The Garda Síochána is painstakingly working to gather evidence that will be sufficient to enable the Director of Public Prosecutions independently to initiate prosecutions of people relating to gangland activities. A number of Garda investigation files have been already submitted to the DPP. I am confident that as the evidence accumulates against individuals under these pieces of legislation, successful prosecutions will be taken.

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