‘Social services, not gardaí, needed to tackle crime’

THE author of a study exposing the use of children to carry out gangland activities has said more input from health and welfare authorities is needed rather than more gardaí.

Sociologist Dr Niamh Hourigan spent a year interviewing criminals, gang members and victims in Limerick to probe anecdotal evidence that children were being groomed to harass, intimidate and harm those who objected to gangland rule in neighbourhoods.

She found ample proof that children aged between three and 14 were used by gang leaders to keep in line members of the community who threatened their authority. Youngsters were used for trespassing, destroying gardens, breaking windows and damaging property, writing offensive graffiti and, in more serious cases, setting fire to homes.