Cabinet to discuss new measures to tackle organised crime

Government ministers are due to discuss a range of new measures to crack down on organised crime at their weekly cabinet meeting today.

The proposals were agreed during crisis talks yesterday between the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner.

Those talks were arranged following an upsurge in gangland violence this year and particularly the killing of an innocent apprentice plumber during a hit on leading crime boss Martin Hyland last week.

The new measures being discussed today are understood to include greater use of the non-jury Special Criminal Court, as well as moves to tighten up the application of bail laws.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has already responded to the recent surge in gang violence by criticising judges for releasing people on bail when they have been charged with gun and drug crime.