No hiding place for gangs, says Dublin Garda chief

One of Ireland’s most senior officers has warned organised crime gangs there is no hiding place for members.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Feehan, who heads the Dublin division, said gardaí have the will and commitment to confront gangland criminals across the city.

The senior garda said the level of protection young members have is overstated.

“Over the last 18 months to two years we have deployed significant resources in confronting very serious criminals around gang-related crime,” he said.

“We are doing a lot of work with significant successes.

“There are no no-go areas and there are no gangs we are not willing to and capable of confronting.

“That’s a serious message that needs to go out to communities where people feel intimidated.

“An Garda Síochána is equipped and we do have the resources and we certainly have the will and commitment to confront these serious criminal gangs.”

Latest figures show 127 arrests have been made relating to organised crime over the past year, with eight people charged before the court under new gangland legislation.

Mr Feehan said community gardaí are also engaged with communities to target low level anti-social behaviour.

He stated figures show public order offences and violent robberies are down, with officers involved in initiatives to work with young offenders, their families and social workers to break the chain of crime.

But the senior garda called on residents to tell gardaí and other agencies what the main issues are in their areas to ensure officers can respond to their needs.

“Don’t assume the gardaí know what the issues are unless you tell us,” he said.

“We are very proud of community policing ethos by which we have gone about our business since the establishment of An Garda Síochána and we will continue to guard that jealously.”