Justice Minister Michael McDowell suggested today that he may bring in new laws to force security firms to improve anti-crime measures following yesterday's robbery from a cash-in-transit van in Co Carlow.
Mr McDowell admitted that a voluntary code, agreed after talks with the security industry in 2005 to ensure the safety of cash-in-transit workers, may not work. "The Private Security Authority has the power to make it mandatory and I've no doubt will... I'm looking to other issues as well," he said.
This could include new laws to ensure banks and other major credit institutions only use certified and appropriate cash in transit companies.
Meanwhile, gardaí are immediately implementing new security procedures to protect cash in transit, including the use of specialist units, the Garda Air Support Unit, and regular uniform and detective patrols. A working group is also being set up to help improve security in "vulnerable areas of cash movements", chaired by Chief Superintendent Pat Hogan.
The new measures were agreed at talks between senior gardaí and the State's biggest security companies following yesterday's robbery in Co Carlow.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy called the talks after a Securicor employee and his wife, both in their 60s, were tied up, gagged and held at separate locations in Dublin overnight by an armed gang of at least four men.
Mr Michael McDowell expressed his surprise about the attacks, given that the security industry was aware of the risks.
"It is not acceptable that some companies are delivering large sums of cash in very unprotected circumstances and if this point hasn't struck home in the meetings I've had with the cash in transit industry and banks about voluntary improvement, it'll have to strike home on a different basis," he said.
Yesterday's robbery was the third involving a hostage-taking so far this year.
Last night, the Irish Bank Officials' Association called on staff to "think carefully" before agreeing to become key holders. It said employees with access to large sums of money were now viewed as soft targets by criminal gangs.
Gardaí believe sensitive information about security firm employees is being leaked from inside the industry to criminals.
Gardaí and Government officials also believe security procedures in the sector are not being followed as closely as they should.
Mr Conroy is believed to have to outline his concerns to senior managers in the security companies involved during today's meeting.
"I welcome the decision by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy to call a meeting of the Security Industry Forum with the financial sector, and I would urge him to question the apparent lack of an armed escort on the security van," said Fine Gael spokesperson on justice Jim O'Keeffe.
"The financial sector cannot afford to continue with this apparently sloppy attitude to tiger kidnappings, particularly when so many innocent people are now being targeted."
Mr O'Keeffe referred specifically to a "ministerial requirement" that is supposed to provide an armed escort for any vehicle carrying over €2 million, though it is not yet clear exactly how much money was in the van.