Gardaí unveil policing priorities

GARDA bosses have made tackling domestic and sexual violence, and the protection of children, top priorities this year.

The Garda Policing Plan 2011 also identifies the links between organised crime gangs and subversive groups as well as the emergence of domestic cannabis factories as key issues.

“National security and the reduction of crime and fear of crime are part of our core business,” said the new Garda chief Martin Callinan at the launch.

“This year’s plan also puts a particular emphasis on domestic violence, crimes of a sexual nature, the management of sex offenders and the support and protection of child victims,” he said.

Commissioner Callinan, who took over from Fachtna Murphy at the end of last month, said there were a number of important developments in this area in 2010, including the publication of the Garda domestic violence policy.

He also referred to a new policy on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare as well as the establishment of the sexual offender management and intelligence unit.

The plan confirmed gardaí will develop co-operation with the HSE in the investigation of crimes against children.

Gardaí will ensure that the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act are implemented, including that all offenders are risk-assessed before leaving prison.

Under the key strategic goals of national security, crime, road safety and community policing, the plan commits to:

* Disrupt links between organised crime and dissident republican terror groups.

* Develop crisis incident management capability in tiger kidnappings, hostage negotiation and barricade incidents.

* Dedicated armed patrols to disrupt criminal gangs.

* Intelligence-led operations against gangs and individuals involved in ‘grow houses’ or domestic cannabis cultivation factories.

*Drug-driving impairment training for Garda traffic corps.

* Conduct test purchase operations to identify outlets selling and supplying alcohol to underage persons.

Mr Callinan said the policing plan includes the priorities for the gardaí by the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.

* See policing plan on www.garda.ie