Concern over extreme violence being used by eastern European criminals

GARDAÍ in Dublin and other parts of the country are increasingly concerned at the escalating use of extreme violence by a small number of eastern European gangs.

Detectives are particularly worried at the existence of criminal gangs from the Baltic states. These gangs, like their Irish counterparts, are willing to use deadly weapons and have ready access to firearms.

The gangs are involved in a range of serious crime, including blackmail, intimidation, drug dealing, counterfeiting, smuggling and car theft.