Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Niall Carson

Minister vows to crackdown on "evil and sinister" Kinahan-Hutch gangs

Minister Frances Fitzgerald said tagging some criminals will be permitted under new legislation.

THE MINISTER FOR Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said the “evil and sinister” cycle of gangland violence is both “shocking and disturbing”.

Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Fitzgerald detailed the steps being taken to fight gangland crime including more overtime and extra resources for gardaí.

Fitzgerald said these criminals have “no regard for public safety”.

The loss of life, including the life of those who played no part in gang related feuds, is intolerable.This violent feud is unprecedented in its audacity. The gangs show no regard for public safety. The events we have seen are outrageous.

Last week, the minister and an Taoiseach Enda Kenny met with senior officers of the gardaí and were briefed on what progress was being made in the investigations into recent gang-related murders in inner city Dublin.

We must not let this record of improvement nor the safety and good name of our capital city be dragged down by the violence and thuggery of these gangs.

frances

Tagging criminals

The minister said new legislation will be enacted to protect the public against crimes committed by offenders out on bail.

The bill will allow for refusal of bail for repeat serious offenders and will strengthen garda powers to deal with breaches of bail.

It will also include new provisions to allow for electronic tagging of those on bail, where requested by gardaí, to reduce re-offending.

Garda resources

She admitted the reduction in the garda resources and cuts in overtime had impacted on gang-related crime. However, she said a dedicated 55-strong armed support unit for Dublin is being established.

I have assured An Garda Síochána that they have the full support of the Government in their efforts to disrupt gang-related crime and they will continue to access all resources necessary, including extensive overtime, to support them in delivering concentrated visible policing measures to tackle gang-related crime.

She commended the gardaí, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Special Criminal Court for their work and hit out at parties that were calling for the abolition of the court.

Fitzgerald also admitted that technology for gardaí was “far behind”.

She said investments were being made in new vehicles, new night-time surveillance equipment for the Garda Air Support Unit, which will be used to track and disrupt burglars and criminal gangs from the air, as well as new ICT equipment and the refurbished of over 32 garda stations.

Sinn Féin’s Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said people in her constituency are “living in fear”.

She said she was disappointed with the minister’s speech, stating that it did not pay enough attention to communities that are afraid to walk down the streets to the shops or to have a quiet drink in their local pub.

McDonald said it was time special attention was paid to the Kinahan and Hutch feud in Dublin’s inner city, similar as to what was done in Limerick in the past.

Sinn Finn’s Dublin Mid-West TD, Eoin Ó Broin said it was important to highlight that the the small number of criminals do not represent the people in these communities.

He hit out at Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for their lack of investment in both garda resource and areas of deprivation.

O’Broin said without huge efforts being made, “things will only get worse”.

He said there was a growing increase in marginalised people being attracted to the drug trade as they are not being enveloped in mainstream society.

Funding cuts to community programmes of between 50% – 100% need has contributed to today’s situation, he said.

“Unless you tackle that, you are not going to tackle the scourge of gun crime.”

Independent for Change TD Clare Daly said the incidents of people being gunned down on Dublin streets is a consequence on government policy over the last number of decades.

She said if areas of deprivation are not invested in, the commitments made by the minister are only “window dressing”.

Read: Unbearable pressure: How water drowned out everything>

Day 69: ‘They say a week is a long time in politics, but a day is a long time in politics right now.’>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
69 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marg murphy
    Favourite Marg murphy
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:05 PM

    More overtime for gardai? The problem isn’t the gardai. It’s the judiciary. The revolving door and the cushy prisons. Stop the suspended and the concurrent sentences and you’re halfway there.

    307
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Murphy
    Favourite Mary Murphy
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:11 PM

    Yes Marg totally agree. But she needs to bring in extra garda not take them from somewhere else. I also think that it’s high time there was an arrest for the murder of Garda Adrian O’Donohoe. Strong sentences for attacks on all front line staff need to be implemented.

    128
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:45 PM

    One extra garda is not going to make much of a difference.

    15
    See 9 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Cauldhame
    Favourite Frank Cauldhame
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:55 PM

    How much money did FG save for the exchequer by closing down all those Garda stations???

    Mere shillings compared to the setup costs of Irish Water.

    We need to get our priorities right.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark
    Favourite Mark
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:59 PM

    500,000 actually, it’s nothing

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Josephine Sweeney
    Favourite Josephine Sweeney
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:24 PM

    Kinahan-hutch an alliance now?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al Ca
    Favourite Al Ca
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:40 PM

    Did you see this?…. http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/elite-garda-units-could-soon-be-forced-to-work-out-of-prefabs-34674993.html
    The soundbites from Francis just don’t cut it….in any way, shape or form. It appears shes cracking down harder on Garda resources……the drug gangs must be laughing their heads off.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Skillington
    Favourite Tony Skillington
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:49 PM

    A special forced armed to the back teeth and with very strong powers to aggressively deal with these people is what’s needed. Fight fire with fire not with a candle..

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 2:02 PM

    The government should put in the same effort that was used to defeat the PIRA gang of thugs.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TDV
    Favourite TDV
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 2:12 PM

    Main problem is prohibiting substances that people want to take recreationally that just hands astronomical profits to the likes of the kinahans! His operating budget would be multiples of what the new 55 Garda strong team can ever hope to receive from our government, oh wait there is no government after nearly 70 days since we vote for change again but haven’t got it, for the 2nd time in a decade!!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Molloy
    Favourite Shane Molloy
    Report
    May 6th 2016, 12:18 AM

    The PIRA wasn’t defeated. I’m sure it was in your mind but that’s la la land, it doesn’t count Truffle Pig, they disarmed under the Good Friday Agreement. Once again your tunnel vision takes off on a tangent. Stick to the subject of these poxy gangs

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Molloy
    Favourite Shane Molloy
    Report
    May 6th 2016, 12:25 AM

    It might to you one day

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dj
    Favourite Dj
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:04 PM

    Tagging? FFS.Get rid of suspended sentences and keep the vermin behind bars.

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Gleeson
    Favourite John Gleeson
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:09 PM

    Unfortunately we have to consider the human rights of criminals above victims in modern society.

    The government need to be careful, if people don’t feel safe they will arm themselves with weapons and take matters into their own hands.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Foy
    Favourite Ciaran Foy
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:31 PM

    These drug dealers can come and go through Dublin airport with impunity,direct deals,organize murders and disorder and drive around the city in cavalcades .Legalistation was brought into deal with people who were directing terrorism,McKevitt got 20 years,why cant that be applied to the people involved.

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Mc
    Favourite Catherine Mc
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:06 PM

    All talk no action

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shelly Levine
    Favourite Shelly Levine
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:45 PM

    This is the same minister who said Ireland is well capable of tackling a terrorist threat because of our troubled past. Finger on the pulse there Frances. You instill such confidence.

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Fechter
    Favourite Peter Fechter
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:17 PM

    Evidence of how blatant her attempts at misleading the public are…..

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute @mdmak33
    Favourite @mdmak33
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 11:56 AM

    There are a lot of gangsters not too far from her that need to be clamped down.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jon Mackey
    Favourite Jon Mackey
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 4:07 PM

    Playing politics as usual.

    These gangs have been around for decades and nothing substantial has ever been done about it.

    Crack down me arse. A few check points with armed Gardai is how this state employs a crack down.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Carty
    Favourite Michael Carty
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 4:25 PM

    Constructive stuff

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Wilson
    Favourite John Wilson
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 5:00 PM

    They will fall off their sun loungers laughing at her.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Hannigan
    Favourite Mick Hannigan
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:06 PM

    Jesus what a load of crap, they garda are not fit for purpose, not staying the garda are no good bit the resources, systems, leadership, equipment, intelligents, etc is beyond poor, new bread of leadership is needed, more garda, more training, reopen all the stations, and more powers to deal with real criminals

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Lyster
    Favourite Derek Lyster
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:01 PM

    Concurrent and suspended sentences for everybody and more free legal aid too

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Fechter
    Favourite Peter Fechter
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:07 PM

    Ever the social worker…”resources” “access” “delivering” “support”…..she need only ask the frontline members of “An Garda Siochana” what they need….

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute UndieGrundy
    Favourite UndieGrundy
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:00 PM

    Sounds like Mickey Mouse measures and more platitudes. No bills on illegally held guns? None on prison reform?

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Girl
    Favourite The Girl
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:02 PM

    She should stop talking and start acting…Talk is cheap

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Devenney
    Favourite Francis Devenney
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:04 PM

    “No bills on illegally held guns?” illegally held guns are already illegal the clue is in the name.,

    55
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Comings
    Favourite Ger Comings
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:04 PM

    Nothing Mickey about it! Steps in the right direction, but more to be done.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute UndieGrundy
    Favourite UndieGrundy
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:20 PM

    Good man, Francis. You do know that to change the laws and increase sentences for such, other bills have to be introduced? Clue is the the name “bill”

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Kelly
    Favourite Peter Kelly
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:27 PM

    It has been allowed to fester for several years this drug trade. It’s going to take a lot more than Gardai overtime to get on top of it.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Byrne
    Favourite Derek Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:23 PM

    All talk.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chewy_Burton
    Favourite Chewy_Burton
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:05 PM

    Oh piss off back to the lovely girls judging panel Francis you old stagnant fart. You are absolutely USELESS

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cosmo Kramer
    Favourite Cosmo Kramer
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:44 PM

    Does anybody else not think there’s something fishy about that hotel shooting.. Two hitmen pictured running away from a murder in broad daylight with no masks on and yet months later not one single arrest.. No picture’s published or arrest warrents issued to try and catch them. When other crimes are carried out on camera or the guards even have the poor cctv the images are plastered all over crimecall or the papers. This hit it seems is been brushed under the carpet..

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Fechter
    Favourite Peter Fechter
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:03 PM

    Starting to look like that Cosmo…..unless…Franny has a cunning plan….ah maybe not.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Higgins
    Favourite Peter Higgins
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:51 PM

    Frances is way out of her depth here. She has been promoted beyond her level of incompetence – a perfect example of the Peter principle – and will only offer platitudes when intelligent action is what’s needed…

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Fechter
    Favourite Peter Fechter
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:09 PM

    Platitudes,cliches and meaningless unnecessary jargon….no reassurance,no initiative,no honesty,no leadership,no empathy,no insight.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wayne Kerr
    Favourite Wayne Kerr
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 2:38 PM

    Peter Fechter just replied to Peter Higgins comment on the Peter principle.

    10
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Fechter
    Favourite Peter Fechter
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 2:51 PM

    Wayne…i didnt cop that…very funny!!well spotted..

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Behan
    Favourite Les Behan
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:55 PM

    Minister vows to talk lots and do nothing.

    Good job Minister, good job,.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Ornery G
    Favourite Tony Ornery G
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:02 PM
    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheCredibleHulk
    Favourite TheCredibleHulk
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:12 PM

    If someone in court for the 100th time had to actually pay for legal representation maybe they wouldn’t be so quick to go out and do something.

    Free legal aid for s€um costs the state almost 100 million a year

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Juan Franc
    Favourite Juan Franc
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:55 PM

    Leo/diarmuid/tommy macdonagh when armed gangs parade around with the orange order you and your ilk claim it is heritage and culture on display,get over yourself.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel O'Neill
    Favourite Nigel O'Neill
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:11 PM

    Theyre shaking in their boots Id say!! How about also clamping down on the white collar criminal gangs!!…like the NAMA gang

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fintin Stack
    Favourite Fintin Stack
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:52 PM

    New legislation will be put in place to project the public from crimes committed by criminals while out on bail? Did I miss something?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Buchanan
    Favourite Peter Buchanan
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:14 PM

    This woman is a waste of fresh air

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Todd
    Favourite Stephen Todd
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:03 PM

    That’s one sinister fringe

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Thomas
    Favourite David Thomas
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:06 PM

    Almost like isis

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sciathán Ceart
    Favourite Sciathán Ceart
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:09 PM

    Dissident Republicans at the heart of it.

    20
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:42 PM

    Why criticise ‘republicans”? They only kill people in order to make them free.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ward
    Favourite John Ward
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:59 PM

    More bollocks!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Byrne
    Favourite Eddie Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:35 PM

    More waffle from another failure as a minister

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Hartnett
    Favourite Jim Hartnett
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:45 PM

    This must be her ‘last sting of a dying wasp’ moment and is just as pathetic. There are reasons that these gangs are operating in the way that they do, but any of our governments are unable, but in my opinion unwilling, to do anything to stop it. Maybe they are afraid of the civil liberties crowd or the vested interests involved but something needs to be done. Years of underinvestment in many areas of our cities, towns and villages is now coming home to roost and those living in such places are dealing with the fallout.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 12:39 PM

    Any TD but a SF has a right to criticise matters relating to armed gangs. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Molloy
    Favourite Shane Molloy
    Report
    May 6th 2016, 12:32 AM

    It was great to see the Minister in question Francis Fitzgerald at the unveiling of the 1916 Proclamation garden at Newlands Cross last week. Paying homage, fair play to her

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
    Favourite Lazlo Saint Pierre
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:26 PM

    Please tell me there is a new Justice Minister in the offing, the Shitweasel is hardly going to keep that incompetent on in that role for the next couple of years is he?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Upowthat Burke
    Favourite Upowthat Burke
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 2:41 PM

    waffle waffle waffle as usually by another inept minister for injustice

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Law Man
    Favourite Law Man
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 4:02 PM

    Murderers get personal gardens at tax payers expense. Their victims families get nothing.
    Taxpayers pay between 50 and 100 million p.a. on legal fees for repeat criminals. There is no limit apparently on how many times you can get free legal aid, as long as you remain an active criminal of course.
    We also pay a similar amount for the prosecution costs. It can be half million or more in a single major case. Note that as soon as the case is disposed of the appeal is lodged and the whole process is repeated, at similar cost to the taxpayer. A good arrest by the Gardai can lead to the price of a house or two for the legal profession before a decision is reached in the courts..
    Victim support Ireland, on the other hand, is run by volunteers.
    Crime is big business and those profiting from it will never support measures to reduce it and make the country safe for good people. We seem to have lost our sense of fairness and justice within the halls of justice.

    Gardai cannot put anyone in jail, only the courts have the power to do that. Why is it that the courts seem to be exempt criticism in the media for the state of lawlessness in the country?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Science of beer
    Favourite Science of beer
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 3:56 PM

    What a stupid thing to say ” these crimes have no regard for public safety” No crime has any regard for public safety. It not like that need a safepass before the go out committing crime

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tadgh Healy
    Favourite Tadgh Healy
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 4:04 PM

    Francis is more interested in cracking down on water protestor’s and normal people going to and from work in the morning and evening judging by the Guards road blocks than have anything to do with criminals they must be laughing their heads off.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rosa Parks
    Favourite Rosa Parks
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 6:36 PM

    She’s one of the worst Justice Ministers we’ve had in my opinion. The devil is in the details. She gives too much wriggle room in her legislation for judicial discretion on sentencing and I fear it will be the same with tagging. After all tagging was already legislated for years ago and no-one has been tagged. Enda should reshuffle her somewhere more suitable like Minister for Cuts after all the closed Garda stations.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Carroll
    Favourite Tom Carroll
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 3:37 PM

    She may as well be setting up a task force to sort the weather out.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tally ho
    Favourite tally ho
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 11:02 PM

    Bluffer

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Lawrence
    Favourite David Lawrence
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 1:38 PM

    Tags? They’ll just take them off. That’s pathetic.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Molloy
    Favourite Shane Molloy
    Report
    May 6th 2016, 12:11 AM

    As usually these Muppets in power are at least 5 years behind reality.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene H. Krabbs
    Favourite Eugene H. Krabbs
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 5:24 PM

    I feel our civil liberties are being slowly eroded away, I do not agree with electronically chipping anyone, no matter what they’ve done. Rights are rights.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraic Courtney
    Favourite Padraic Courtney
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 7:10 PM

    If it works, it’s far cheaper for the taxpayer and less obtrusive for the criminal than jail time – or do you consider jailing criminals to be an erosion of their civil liberties as well?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tally ho
    Favourite tally ho
    Report
    May 5th 2016, 11:00 PM

    That women should get an Oscar for talking the talk and doing nothing. She has it down to a tee. Serious look, promising the earth while shifting responsibility back to the top notches in garda hierarchy who, in turn, do not have an ounce of backbone to call her out for what she is, a buffer…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bren MC
    Favourite Bren MC
    Report
    May 6th 2016, 3:55 PM

    Frances is the worst minister for justice since the inception of the state. FACT.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds