Gangland killings crackdown

NEW laws to combat witness intimidation, improve jury protection and a €2 million crime-fighting package were promised yesterday in response to the crime crisis.

Signed witness statements will be accepted as evidence in court cases, even where the witness changes his or her story in court, under legislative changes being examined by the Government.

Responding to the criminal justice crisis sparked by the collapse of the Liam Keane murder trial, the Government yesterday gave an extra €2 million to the Garda Síochána to tackle criminal gangs in Limerick and Dublin this year.