Only 21 convictions out of 161 gun murders in past 10 years

ONLY 21 convictions for gun murders have been secured in the past 10 years despite 161 gun-related killings during the period.

No one was jailed for gun-related deaths in 2007 or 2008, and convictions have fallen from a high of five in 2004 to two in both 2005 and 2006.

The highest number of gun murders was in 2006, at 26, while the year with the least number was 1998, with just four.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said the number of convictions was a “very poor record” and underlines that Government policy is grossly insufficient.

He called on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to convene a top-level meeting with all stakeholders.

“What we need is a multi-faceted approach led by the minister for justice and Garda commissioner together with the court services and the president of the High Court.

“The system is not working and the Government is lacking the will and ability to dismantle criminal activity.”

Mr Flanagan said there should be “relentless policing” with gardaí working and living in communities, adding that, “people need to feel protected from intimidation”.

Meanwhile, a criminal law specialist has said legislative measures taken following Shane Geoghegan’s murder will have little or no effect on gangland crime.

Diarmuid Griffin, a criminal law lecturer at NUI Galway said there appeared to be “a great deal of confusion” surrounding legislative provisions and judicial rulings in the area of firearms legislation.

Mr Griffin said rather than introducing reactionary measures like those following the killing of the Limerick rugby player last year, legislation already in place should be utilised.

“It makes no sense to introduce new measures when provisions in the 2006 act have yet to be activated,” he said, writing in last month’s Law Gazette.

“Part 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 has already introduced a new framework for licensing. Unfortunately, many of its provisions have yet to be brought into force.”

Mr Griffin added that new provisions dealing with the licensing of firearms will in no way tackle the circulation of illegal firearms.

“It is these non-licensed firearms that are being used by those involved in organised or gangland crime,” he added.

According to the Department of Justice, under Operation Anvil up to the end of November last year, about 1,200 firearms were recovered in Dublin and 1,000 in the rest of the country.