Crisis talks on gangland war

The shooting prompted furious Opposition parties to demand 24-hour surveillance of criminals in the Mid-west city.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said efforts had already been made to tackle organised crime in Limerick such as deploying the Emergency Response Unit and basing the country’s first regional rapid response unit in Munster.

The Department of Justice said new areas of reform were being looked at including retrials following an acquittal following perjury or intimidation, a criminal database and new laws on covert surveillance.

Mr Ahern branded the killers of Mr Geogegan as “scum” and added: “This was a despicable act carried out in the dead of night on a young man who was a leader both on and off the rugby pitch.”

Mr Ahern said today: “I know the Garda Siochana are determined to catch these killers – we’ve one of the best police forces in the world now.

“The Garda Commissioner will get whatever he needs in terms of resources to take these murderers off our streets.”

In the 12 months up to September, garda numbers have swelled by 11% from 564 to 625.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and the Commissioner will meet for talks in the Taoiseach’s office in Government Buildings.

The shooting in Limerick is also expected to be discussed at today’s weekly Cabinet meeting.

Mr Ahern rejected Opposition calls for urgent legislation to come down harder on criminals.

The new Covert Surveillance Bill, due to get government approval shortly, will allow secret surveillance on gangland criminals to be admissible when required in gangland crime trials.

The 2007 Criminal Justice Act specifically provided to allow a Court to draw an inference if required on an arrested person’s decision to remain silent during questioning.