There have been 13 gangland-style murders connected with the drugs trade so far this year. Eleven of those have taken place in Dublin. Charges have been preferred in only one case. It is clear from these figures that members of criminal gangs fighting "turf wars" and engaged in personal vendettas have little fear of being detected and jailed. This situation is totally unacceptable.
In spite of the much-publicised "Operation Anvil", which was designed to provide more on-street policing, Garda overtime and surveillance in response to these crimes in specific areas of Dublin, the murder rate has continued to rise. And the €6.5 million allocated to this special project is expected to run out next month. In the circumstances, the Government has no option but to provide extra funding and resources to deal with these drug gangs. But a reassessment should also be undertaken of the tactics and methodology employed by the Garda Síochána. A long-term, community-oriented response to armed criminals should be designed also.
Make no mistake about it, the rising level of gun crime in our society cannot be tolerated. Some citizens from wealthy suburban areas may be unconcerned that drug gang members are murdering one another. But it is a small step for these criminals, who feel they are beyond the reach of the law, to turn their guns on others who might offend them. That was what happened when Veronica Guerin was murdered. There can be no ambivalence in dealing with armed criminals and in bringing them to justice.
Drug-fuelled crime and armed robberies appear to have a cyclical nature. No sooner do the Garda authorities succeed in breaking up well-established gangs than other, younger criminals move in to take their place. Minister for Justice Michael McDowell last year claimed success in breaking up Dublin's gangland subculture. But a spate of armed robberies and assassinations in the past nine months has changed all that. The new groups have access to a growing and alarming arsenal of lethal firearms. And although most gang members are known to the Garda, they appear to have little or no inhibition in using guns.
The opposition parties have accused the Government of not providing sufficient police resources, resulting in members of Dublin gangs believing they can act with impunity. That suggestion has been rejected by the Minister. What is undeniable, however, is that a losing battle is currently being fought by the authorities against these gun-toting individuals. This must change.
It will take perseverance, courage and hard work by the police to turn the situation around. It will also require the support and co-operation of the affected communities. That, in turn, can be engendered only if the Government invests in local area initiatives that will address unemployment, housing, youth services and drug abuse.
Putting the current crop of drug dealers, armed robbers and killers in jail is just the first step.