Strategy to strengthen cross-border policing

GOVERNMENTS and police forces on both sides of the border have agreed a strategy to deepen co-operation in their fight against terrorism, organised crime and the movements of sex offenders.

The Cross Border Policing Strategy was published yesterday by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, together with the departments of justice here and in Belfast.

“Terrorism, serious and organised crime and local crime strike fear into the heart of communities and know no boundaries. It is therefore increasingly important that law enforcement agencies work in partnership to achieve the shared objective of keeping all of our communities safe,” said Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

“In recent months, through sharing information and intelligence, and by putting in place joint policing operations, many instances of terrorism, serious and organised crime and local crime have been prevented. This has undoubtedly saved lives, while ensuring those involved in such activity are identified and brought to justice.”

In the most recent incident, earlier this month, elite garda units intercepted a car heading for Northern Ireland and seized a mortar which was primed.

Gardaí believe the mortar was to be used for an imminent terrorist attack in the North and suspect the terror group Oglaigh na hÉireann was responsible.

A report last month by the International Monitoring Commission said dissident republicans had detonated four times as many explosives in the previous six months, compared to the six months before that. It also said three times as many dissidents had been charged on either side of the border up to October as were charged for the whole of 2009.

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: “I am deeply indebted to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána for the level of support and co-operation the PSNI receives on a daily basis. In the current climate it is even more pertinent for police officers to be able to utilise the experience, knowledge and, technological capabilities available across both jurisdictions, to the best possible effect.”

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said: “I want to thank the Garda Commissioner and Chief Constable and their officers for the hard work that has gone into this new initiative, and for the hard work that underpins the North-South policing cooperation.”