The Government has authorised the setting up of a witness protection scheme for people prepared to give evidence in court against organised criminals, the Minister for Justice has announced.
Mr O'Donoghue said the Government would provide whatever funds were needed.
The scheme will be administered entirely by the Garda Sioch ana to ensure it is as secret and secure as possible. The budget for the scheme will be administered directly by the Garda Commissioner.
At present three Dublin women and their families and a Cork man and his family are receiving protection under the unofficial witness protection programme associated with the investigation into the murder of the journalist, Veronica Guerin.
In Dublin special armed teams of gardai are guarding the wife and three children and girlfriend of one of the main witnesses in the case. There have already been direct threats against the women. Officers are also guarding the wife and family of another witness. Both husbands are in custody.
In Cork a man currently on bail and his family are under protection.
It is anticipated that in the near future gardai will have to relocate people outside the State.
In a speech to Garda recruits who were attested at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, yesterday, the Minister said the scheme would be a "powerful new tool" in the fight against serious and organised crime.
He said the new breed of ruthless and well-organised criminals, particularly in drugs and moneylaundering, showed the need for new measures. "This type of crime attracts the most hardened and dedicated criminals who deal most severely with anyone from within the ranks who is prepared, for whatever reason, to give evidence against their former accomplices and partners in crime."
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He said: "It affords the criminal justice system the opportunity of obtaining the best evidence from first-hand witnesses who are willing to testify in court. To operate successfully, however, such a scheme has to guarantee security for the witness."