20 extra gardaí to be deployed to tackle organised crime

The Garda Commissioner announced this afternoon that 20 extra gardaí are to be allocated to tackling organised crime.

It follows three gang-related killings in Dublin in less than 48 hours.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the latest gangland shooting, which happened in Dublin's Financial Services Centre last night.

Twenty-five-year-old Gerard “Bath” Byrne was gunned down on Lower Mayor Street at around 9pm, just a day after a double-shooting in Finglas, which was also gang-related.

Today, Minster for Justice Michael McDowell said there was no need to declare a state of emergency and call in the army.

To curb the escalating crime levels, 20 new gardaí will join the Organised Crime Unit and will focus on well-known individuals involved in gang crime.

Extra resources will also be provided for more armed Garda patrols and checkpoints in certain areas.