Crisis talks held to discuss crackdown on crime gangs

The Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy have held crisis talks to discuss ways to tackle organised crime.

The meeting follows an upsurge in gangland violence this year, including the death of an innocent plumber during a gun attack on one of Dublin's leading drug dealers last week.

The issues discussed at today's meeting included garda resources, a tightening of the bail laws and ways to speed up the court system for serious crimes.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has already responded to last week's violence by criticising judges who let people out on bail after they have been charged with gun and drug offences.

He has insisted that the Gardai have all the resources they need to tackle organised crime.

Speaking after today's talks, he said a number of measures were being looked at to tackle gun crime.

"What we want to do is to have a green light for every possible step to be taken that is within our power to confront these very evil people," he said.