AGSI conference - Garda attack reveals scope of IRA crime

ANY lingering illusions about the extent of IRA involvement in organised crime in Ireland have been well and truly dispelled by the main body operating at the cliff face of the fight against crime - the gardaí.

In a blistering attack on the IRA, delivered at the annual conference of garda sergeants and inspectors, AGSI president Joe Dirwan did not put a tooth on it, describing the Provisionals as the biggest criminal gang in the 32 counties.

There could not be a more damning picture of the IRA than his graphic portrayal of an organisation steeped in racketeering, smuggling, armed robbery, bootlegging, counterfeiting, money laundering, vigilantism and intimidation. It is a description the public has become increasingly familiar with in recent times.