Gangland warfare

City deserves end to drugs gangs image

ZERO tolerance towards the criminal elements behind the abduction of two men in Limerick is long overdue.

Without a ruthless crackdown on drugs gangs, they will continue to make a mockery of law and order in a city struggling to shed its violent image, however undeserved it might be.

The Government should heed calls for a special task force to clamp down on gangland warfare in the city. Unrelenting pressure must be applied in much the same way that Martin Cahill, the infamous Dublin criminal known as The General, was hounded by the gardaí.

With guns readily available and intimidation widespread in turf wars, the citizens of Limerick deserve better than squabbling over manpower levels between Junior Minister Willie O’Dea and the AGSI, the body representing garda sergeants and inspectors.

The political reality is that the Government has not yet begun recruiting the extra 2,000 gardaí promised before the last election.

With no trace of their whereabouts after six days, despite the army’s involvement in the search, hope for the safety of the men is now fading.

Nor is there any sign the abductors will listen to the heart-rending plea for the safe return of her missing sons uttered by Mrs Mary Ryan, whose husband was also murdered in a gangland shooting two years ago.

Drugs are at the centre of the bitter turf war now raging between rival gangland families well known to the gardaí. Unless they are rooted out, the thugs behind this outrage will continue to terrorise the local

community.

It is absolutely crucial that no effort be spared in hunting down the hardened criminals behind this shocking incident.

If there is a tragic ending, it will be yet another blow to the people of Limerick and a further black spot on the city’s tarnished reputation.

As Mrs Ryan put it, things have gone too far.