McDowell gets tough as crime out of control

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell is to introduce a series of tough laws later this year as crime rates soar out of control.

The minister also pledged to commence a root-and-branch reform of the Garda Síochána to make them more accountable and improve their performance.

The new laws will give increased powers to gardaí to obtain search warrants, gather evidence and obtain DNA samples. These measures follow the release of shocking crime figures for last year, which show gardaí are losing the fight against serious crime.