Gun crime and drugs trade ‘inextricably linked’

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday urged society to take a stand against the thugs who wreak havoc on lives with drug deals and gun crime.

Responding to the shooting dead of young mother Donna Cleary, Mr McDowell said gun crime was inextricably linked with the drugs trade and both had to be tackled "head on."

"This kind of wanton disregard of human life is a by-product of the drugs industry. You cannot have one without the other," he said, appealing to anyone who knew a drug dealer or the location of a weapon to speak to gardaí.