GARDA FILES on 12 criminal gangs have already been sent to the DPP with a view to charging key members under new anti-gangland laws, while a further 15 investigations are under way into other major gangs, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has said.
Expressing concern at the upsurge in gangland murders in recent weeks, Mr Murphy said targeted Garda operations were in place to prevent further bloodshed.
“I’m conscious that in the last few weeks we’ve have four such shootings,” he told the media at a passing-out ceremony at the Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary.
“We’ve increased the ERU patrols in Finglas and in the north inner city [of Dublin]. We also have people working very covertly and I’m ensuring that all the resources possible are going into the [murder] investigations.”
Mr Murphy said that since new gangland legislation was introduced last July – which created the new criminal offence of participation in a crime gang – members of two gangs had been charged.
Mr Murphy added that 12 files had been sent to the DPP in which charges against other gang members were recommended and there were another 14 or 15 gangs being investigated under the new laws. Despite the recent fatal shootings in Clondalkin and Finglas, both in west Dublin, and in Sheriff Street in the north inner city, Mr Murphy said the Garda has enjoyed considerable success against gangland criminals.
The annual report of the Courts Service, which was published on Wednesday, showed a record number of murder trials had gone ahead last year, meaning a lot of killings were being solved, he said.
“We’re doing our work. The prisons are full, the courts are obviously very busy. But there is a small core of ruthless killers who are still intent on eliminating their rivals.”
Mr Murphy said many shootings were linked to the drugs trade, others were revenge for earlier attacks and in some cases the motive arose for very minor disputes.
“ go to the core of the credibility of our justice system. . . . we need the help of the community, working in partnership with them, when investigating all these crimes, getting the intelligence that’s required to put these people where they belong – in prison.”
Mr Murphy said the provision of armed Garda protection to people who had given evidence in court against gang members, or were about to do so, was placing a “a serious strain” on resources. This was particularly the case in Limerick.
However, he was committed to continuing to provide those resources because members of the public who had stepped forward and given evidence had played a key role in helping gardaí solve very serious crime.
While road deaths were now at record low levels, he was concerned that people had lost their lives in major crashes including the incident that claimed eight lives in Donegal two weeks ago.
“People have got to take responsibility for their actions,” Mr Murphy said.
“Motor cars are a great tool to get people from one place to the other. But they can be very dangerous in the hands of someone who doesn’t act responsibly.”
He said the new system of speed cameras being put in place across the State would be operational by “October or November”.