20 extra gardaí to be deployed to tackle organised crime

14/12/2006 - 14:09:04
The Garda Commissioner announced this afternoon that 20 extra gardaí are to be allocated to tackling organised crime.

It follows three gang-related killings in Dublin in less than 48 hours.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the latest gangland shooting, which happened in Dublin's Financial Services Centre last night.

Twenty-five-year-old Gerard “Bath” Byrne was gunned down on Lower Mayor Street at around 9pm, just a day after a double-shooting in Finglas, which was also gang-related.

Today, Minster for Justice Michael McDowell said there was no need to declare a state of emergency and call in the army.

To curb the escalating crime levels, 20 new gardaí will join the Organised Crime Unit and will focus on well-known individuals involved in gang crime.

Extra resources will also be provided for more armed Garda patrols and checkpoints in certain areas.