Operation Anvil hits home

GARDAÍ have arrested 23 people for murder and seized property worth €5.7 million as a result of a nine-month operation to tackle gangland crime in Dublin.

Figures released on the success of Operation Anvil, which was launched in the capital last May, show that gardaí also recovered 359 firearms.

A total of 24,758 garda checkpoints were set up at strategic locations over the period, which resulted in 1,641 arrests.

In addition to those arrested on suspicion of murder, there were 411 arrests for people suspected of serious assault, 828 for burglary and 379 for robbery.

Gardaí also carried out 7,705 drug searches as part of the operation and over 1,500 searches related to the investigation of theft and firearm offences.

A total of 3,653 vehicles were seized.

Commenting on the results, Superintendent Kevin Donohoe of the Garda Press Office said they demonstrated the objectives of Operation Anvil to carry out a determined and sustained effort to upset some criminal activity in Dublin.

“We are satisfied from our intelligence on the ground that it has had the desired effect,” said Supt Donohoe. Operation Anvil was established following concern at a rise in gangland crime in Dublin in early 2005.

It involved the establishment of high-profile garda checkpoints in certain parts of the city combined with increased undercover surveillance of suspected criminal gang members.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has credited increased crime detection rates on the success of Operation Anvil. Funding of €6.5m was allocated to the operation which allowed for an additional 15,000 hours of garda overtime.

Mr McDowell has announced plans to extend Operation Anvil to other parts of the country during 2006.