Gun killings - Gangs must face brunt of justice system

The family of the late Anthony Campbell who became an innocent victim in the gangland slaying in Dublin, may have reflected the air of despondency prevailing throughout the country today. They do not believe that his killers will be caught.

Even Justice Minister Michael McDowell admitted he could not offer any guarantee. All he could pledge to them was that the gardaí were doing their best to catch the killer, or killers.

Unfortunately, the family of the murdered 20-year-old mirrored the deep frustration felt by people that the perpetrators of so heinous and callous a murder would not be brought to justice.

It is to be sincerely hoped that this impression is erroneous. Society must insist that every conceivable avenue be pursued so that they ultimately face the full force of our criminal justice system, otherwise the rule of law will be meaningless.

Drugs and guns are intrinsically linked, fuelled by the enormous profits that can, and are, being made. Calculated and cold-blooded murder, without regard for the innocence of the victims it claims, is just the other side of that evil coin.

In a trade that is worth considerably more than €1 billion annually, it is the equivalent of a big business but operates to its own savage rule, which now is that of the gun.

To put it another way, the money which the drug dealers make this year is about on a par with the current garda budget.

According to Mr McDowell when he addressed the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors earlier this year the garda budget had been hugely increased, from €599 million in 1997 to €1.3bn this year.

The State’s security agencies have to ensure that this insidious trade is curtailed substantially, it may be impossible to eliminate, but very considerable seizures have been affected by them.

In this regard, supporting the gardaí and other agencies by giving them the necessary resources is crucial in this fight because, apart from headline murders, the illicit drugs trade is responsible for deaths, illness and the destruction of lives.

It is disingenuous of the Taoiseach to give the impression that the gardaí have been successful in combating gang warfare, because it is only a very qualified success.

Having said that, it is a futile exercise on the part of the opposition parties to continuously harp on about the shortcomings of the Government in this regard. It would be more effective if the Dáil was united across party lines in fighting what is a devastating trade which impacts on every strand of society.

If the gardaí have sufficient resources, and the Government insists they have, then they must be re-deployed in a more potent way and their strategies re-appraised.

If they have not, then Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has to be given what is needed by way of manpower and equipment, and should insist they be forthcoming.