Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this urgent matter on the Adjournment. I refer to the brutal murder of a young man, Mr. Daniel Treacy, as he went about his business at a busy premises in Limerick early yesterday morning. This killing is extremely worrying for those who live in the immediate Caherdavin area, including many elderly people. It is a great tragedy for the immediate Treacy family, including Daniel Treacy's young family.

I would like to raise a number of points with the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern. I am glad he is here tonight. Although extra gardaí were assigned to Limerick on foot of the Fitzgerald report, the resources of the Garda have been drained by aspects of the fight against crime such as witness protection, ongoing investigation and escort duty. Withdrawal of many gardaí from community policing duties has led to a reduction in information gathering and surveillance. We need extra Garda resources in such areas. In the past year, we lost 49 gardaí through retirement. I am glad the Minister replaced one chief superintendent, four inspectors and ten sergeants who retired last year. The problem is that our resources are being drained in terms of dealing with the fight against gangland crime The Garda in Limerick has one of the best murder detection rates in the country. It has solved two thirds of all gangland-related murders. However, difficulties with gangland crime continue. Will the Minister provide the extra gardaí to ensure community policing which will allow people feel safe going about their daily lives?

An operation on the same style of Operation Anvil needs to be put in place. This would complement the outstanding work done by the Limerick Garda. While the armed response unit is in place with extra personnel drafted in from Cork, such an intensive operation would deal with the gangland issue head on as happened in Dublin.

There are concerns the Garda is not being provided with sufficient resources to implement the provisions concerning membership of a criminal gang and surveillance contained in the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act. Will the Minister update the House on their implementation?

The question of mobile telephones in Limerick Prison also arises. The pilot project to block the use of mobile telephones in Portlaoise must be extended to Limerick to stop gangland operations being directed by prisoners there. The restriction of the movement of gangland criminals in certain areas on the evidence of a chief superintendent in certain areas would also assist. Anyone caught in the possession of an illegal firearm should not be granted bail. The fact the Tetra system is up and running in the Limerick division is to be welcomed. However, extra resources are needed there, namely extra gardaí on the ground. Existing resources are being drained in dealing with and fighting gangland criminality which are taking from other services such as a Garda presence in immediate areas. Yesterday's shooting worried many elderly people in Caherdavin on the Ennis Road as it occurred in a public place and against a young man going about his daily routine.

If Customs and Excise was given the resources needed to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the State, it would cut the oxygen supply to these criminal gangs. Will the Minister provide extra resources and personnel to the Limerick Garda division to deal with this scourge of criminality and allow the law-abiding people in Limerick to live in peace?

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