Anti-gangland laws fail to yield one conviction

No convictions have been secured under anti-gangland legislation enacted in 2009 following an increase in violent deaths and crimes carried out by organised criminals.

Laws were rushed through in the summer of 2009 following public outrage over gangland crime, but contained powers which were heavily criticised by the state’s Human Rights Commission as well as civil liberty and legal groups.

Eight people have been charged under the provisions of the Act: Two for directing a criminal organisation and six for participating in organised crime.