Govts vow to strengthen security co-operation

The Irish and British governments today vowed to strengthen cross-border security co-operation ahead of the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan and the North's Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins met in Dublin for talks on enhancing co-operation.

Despite unionist opposition to devolving the powers by the May target date, both governments said the work to tackle cross-border crime would continue.

Mr Goggins said: “Devolution should serve to strengthen the close working relationship our criminal justice agencies have built together.

“Their work in sharing information, expertise and knowledge is paramount in supporting our communities and tracking down criminals.”

He said significant improvements had already been made in the work of criminal justice agencies on both sides of the border.

“We share the same problems and are addressing the best ways of solving them, together,” he said.

Both ministers said increased co-operation would prevent criminals from either jurisdiction using the border to evade punishment.

Mr Lenihan said: “While we already enjoy excellent working relationships with the criminal justice agencies in the North, I believe that devolution offers every prospect of enhancing that co-operation to the benefit of all law-abiding people, North and South.

“Minister Goggins and I will, of course, continue to work to facilitate that transition.”