Minister vows to resolve criminal/social problems in Limerick

The Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan has said that he is determined to resolve deep-seated criminal and social problems in Limerick.

Minister Lenihan's comments follow the shooting of an 18-year-old man on Parnell Street on Friday night.

The attack is believed to be feud related.

Gardaí have increased patrols around the city in fear of an escalation in gang-violence.

Minister Lenihan said that significant resources are being deployed to deal with a number of problems in the area: “There has been a big increase in the number of gardaí allocated to Limerick. I will be visiting Limerick myself early this year to see what progress is taking place on the ground there.

“Clearly there are very large-scale problems. The Gardaí on their own couldn’t tackle these problems, they were so deep seated – in connection with housing, in connection with education. We’re determined to get on with sorting the problems out.”