Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank Deputy O'Callaghan for raising this issue of great seriousness in Dáil Éireann. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I will be addressing this issue from a criminal justice perspective, but of course it is important to note that the Government's focus on removing organised criminals' grip on areas is not confined to a criminal justice approach. A multiplicity of supports are involved across a range of Government Departments and agencies.

The fatal shooting that took place earlier this week in Dublin's North Strand is currently under active investigation by An Garda Síochána. The House will appreciate that the manner in which particular investigations are conducted is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. I have no role in such investigations. The shooting occurred within days of the brutal killing of Derek Hutch near Cloverhill Prison and the non-fatal shootings which took place outside the National Stadium on the South Circular Road on 26 January this year. I wish to assure the House that An Garda Síochána is also conducting a comprehensive investigation into both of these incidents. I wish it well with its endeavours and inquiries, and I join the gardaí in calling for anybody with any information to report that potential evidence to An Garda Síochána.

I want to be clear. This type of criminal behaviour has no place in a civilised society. It will not be tolerated by An Garda Síochána and this Government. An Garda Síochána has faced down this type of threat in the past and will do so again. I note that there has been some commentary this week to the effect that the State provides fewer resources to the policing of organised crime north of the River Liffey, or that little is done to stop gangland figures from killing each other. Such assertions are ill-informed and without foundation. In the first instance, the Garda has, in fact, prevented a huge amount of violence and crime in recent times. Successes of this kind go under the radar and are not reported on the news on a daily basis.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the Garda, supported by significant resources allocated to it by this Government, has made important progress in tackling the insidious threat of organised crime, particularly in the north Dublin inner city area. Operation Hybrid has been established to co-ordinate the response to violent crime in Dublin and address public concerns about community safety. It benefits from significant support by armed support units. As of 21 January, this response has resulted in 72 arrests, 13 charges in total, 34 firearms seized, 260 searches, 15,260 lines of inquiry conducted and more than 50,450 high-visibility checkpoints implemented with active support from the armed support units. A significant about of CCTV footage, mobile phone traffic and forensic evidence has also been examined.

In addition, the conviction earlier this week in the Special Criminal Court of Eamonn Cumberton for the murder of Michael Barr in the Sunset House pub in April 2016, and the convictions of two other men apprehended in possession of a large number of firearms, were feud-related. They came about as a result of concentrated efforts by An Garda Síochána to tackle the perpetrators involved in this ongoing feud. We have also seen reports of a series of very significant drug seizures by An Garda Síochána, as well as important seizures of significant banking information used to fuel the activities of organised criminals. These seizures have significantly hampered the ability of these gangs to operate.

An Garda Síochána will not allow these criminals to prevail. It will ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes will be apprehended and brought to justice as quickly as possible. I can assure the Deputy and the House that these endeavours will continue to be fully supported by this Government.

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