Garda conference - Helping to solve gang violence

THE annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) will this week be discussing a call for a “national emergency” to be declared in response to gangland violence.

The numbers of crimes, feuds and killings have reached frightening levels.

In 2006 there were 26 fatal shootings associated with gangland violence. Those were not just confined to Dublin and Limerick; the unwelcome scourge is spreading throughout the country.