SF calls for more cross-border crime fighting

SINN Féin last night called for greater all-Ireland police co-operation to combat paedophiles, drugs and other cross-border crime.

The party wants to see a harmonisation of laws between the Oireachtas and Stormont in areas of joint concern like penalty points and sentencing for serious offences.

SF policing spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said he would like to see the two forces work together on both sides as the border.

“We want to see how co-operation between the PSNI and Garda Sícohána can be progressed in the interests of targeting drug-related gangland crime and predatory sex offenders,” said Mr O Snodaigh ahead of a meeting with SF MLA Alex Maskey in Dublin to urge better co-ordination in law and order matters across the island.

“Illicit drugs are costing lives on a weekly basis both in terms of users overdosing and dealers gunning rivals down in our communities,” he said.

The investigation into the murder of Armagh man Paul Quinn in Monaghan was cited as an example of the two forces working closely in each other’s area.