FF proposals look like they were decided today on the back of an envelope

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has pledged that the violent criminals involved in recent gangland violence will be defeated.

Speaking today, Minister Flanagan said: “This morning I travelled to Drogheda and heard first hand from gardaí there about the ongoing investigation into the horrendous murder and dismemberment of 17 year old Keane Mulready-Woods.

“Having been briefed by chief supr Christy Mangan, I want to assure people that everything possible is being done to bring those responsible to justice.

“We are going to defeat these violent, thuggish criminals. There will be no hiding place for them.”

Minister Flanagan continued: “In terms of organized crime, we are taking action.

“We have put armed support units in every Garda region and recruited over 3,000 Gardaí in just 5 years. And we’re going to do more.

“We’re going to extend the multiagency task forces and we’re going to continuously increase the number of Gardai to ensure Garda resources remain at record levels.

“Fine Gael remains proud of its reputation as defender of law and order. There is no party stronger on it than us. And we are not prepared to allow Fianna Fail’s knee-jerk simplistic responses mask that reality.

“The fact is that while Jim O’Callaghan made a vague promise on new anti-terrorist legislation today, he had little or nothing to say on this over the last four years.

“Fianna Fáil General Election Campaign proposals are vague at best and look like they were decided only this morning on the back of an envelope.

“There are promises for more Gardaí but no timeline, no evidence of consultation or workability, and no sense that Fianna Fáil understands the massive far reaching reform underway within An Garda Síochána.”

Minister Flanagan added: “It also appears FF want a Chief Super’s evidence that a person is in a gang to be admissible in trials.

“However they should surely know that the advice from An Garda Síochána and Justice officials to date has been that this is not the panacea it seems.

“A criminal gang is unlikely to have the permanency of organisation and structure that characterise a subversive organisation.

“Relationships in criminal gangs tend to be more fluid, with shifting memberships and alliances. New splinter groups and new gangs can form overnight.

“Sadly, as we continue our fight against all forms of crime and organized crime in particular the fact remains that the real lasting justice legacy from Fianna Fail is the closure of Templemore College in 2010.

“Everyone is still dealing with the consequences of that today.”