McDowell announces €2m to tackle gangland crime

Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, is giving €2m to the Gardaí to target gangland crime between now and the end of the year.

Minister McDowell made the announcement in the Dáil, where he was responding to questions on the collapse of the murder trial of Limerick teenager Liam Keane yesterday.

The 19-year-old walked free after six witnesses denied making statements identifying him as the killer of Eric Leamy.

Minister McDowell said it would be foolish for anyone to think they are above the law, or that they can give two fingers to the community they live in.

He said continuing feuding in Limerick has brought about a culture of killing in the city.

The Minister is now considering changes in the law to ensure a similar situation does not arise again.

He is looking at Canadian precedence for introducing written statements as evidence in court and may also introduce legislation to make it an offence not to report a felony.