‘Gang deaths not reason for move’, insists Enda Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has denied it took a series of brutal gangland murders for his Government to address long-term problems in Dublin’s north inner city, as he launched a high-profile campaign for the area.

The Fine Gael leader insisted the killings were not the reason behind his announcement of detailed multimillion-euro plans to help rejuvenate communities living in the area as part of a 10-year initiative to tackle a chronic lack of supports for people in need.

Under long-awaited plans for Dublin’s north inner city, a new ministerial taskforce led by Mr Kenny has been set up to examine ways to address long-term social, educational and criminal problems in the capital’s city centre.