O’Dea rules out using the Army to fight gangland crime

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea and Army Chief of Staff Dermot Earley yesterday effectively ruled out using the Army in the fight against gangland crime.

Both were responding to a statement in the Dáil by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan that he was prepared to discuss, with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy, the deployment of the Army, in such a way.

But Mr O’Dea said there was no indication from the Garda authorities that they are looking for Army back-up.