The Minister for Justice condemned vigilante activity, when questioned about allegations that members of Sinn Fein were operating a private policing service.

Mr O'Donoghue said the Government's position was very clear and simple. "There is no place in our society for vigilantism, no matter how it is dressed up. It cannot, and it will not, be accepted.

"The Garda Siochana has a statutory duty to investigate crime in this State. Individuals or groups who seek to usurp the functions of the Garda Siochana, or to engage in intimidation, assaults or threats, will face the full rigours of the law."

Mr O'Donoghue said he had received a report from the Garda on alleged Sinn Fein activities in Kerry, and the Garda investigation was continuing.

A Garda investigation was also continuing into the shooting by masked men of a man in Ferndale Park, Wexford, he added.

Mr O'Donoghue said that because the investigations were continuing, it would not be right for him to comment in detail on what was alleged to have happened.

Mr Charles Flanagan (FG, Laois-Offaly) expressed dismay that the Minister had not received a report from the Garda on such a serious matter. "Can he confirm to the House that Sinn Fein, a political party registered in this State, is involved in street patrols, acts of intimidation throughout Co Kerry, operating, in effect, a private security firm, usurping the role and function of the Garda Siochana?"

Mr O'Donoghue repeated that he had received a Garda report. "It is also completely inaccurate to say that there are gangs, if you like, marauding around Co Kerry and that they are intimidating people.

"There are complaints relating to a specific number of areas in the north of Co Kerry, where allegations have been presented relating to the whole question of vigilantism. I have explained on more than one occasion that vigilantism will not be tolerated, and I am firmly of the view that only anarchy can ensue if people take the law into their own hands and become judge, jury and executioner."

The Labour deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, said the issue of vigilantism in Kerry, Dublin West and Waterford was among the most serious confronting the proper operation of democratic policing in the State. He asked the Minister to publish the Kerry report.

He asked if there was any paramilitary involvement in the Wexford shooting. He also asked if the Minister agreed with the remark by a former minister, Mr Michael O'Kennedy, that Sinn Fein needed to be confronted on such matters.

Mr O'Donoghue repeated that Garda investigations were currently under way, and there was every possibility that prosecutions could take place leading to convictions.

He did not have sufficient detail on the Wexford incident, but he agreed with the general point made by Mr Howlin.