Localised drugs units needed to complement specialised gang crime unit
Published: 31 January, 2008
Responding to an announcement from the Garda Commissioner that he is to establish a full time specialist unit to deal with gang crime Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said multiple well resourced and dedicated drugs units at local levels are needed in addition to a specialised unit to tackle gang crime.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh said today, "Specialised units can be useful.
However, what are needed in addition to what was announced by the Garda
Commissioner today are multiple well-resourced and dedicated drugs units
at the local level.
"As the Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has acknowledged himself, the
Gardaí will not win this fight without the support and co-operation of
communities. A lot of work needs to be done and resources committed by
Gardaí to win this support.
"In a submission to Garda Management last year Sinn Féin argued that the
resources available to Garda Drug Units should be at least doubled and
at all times they should strive to operate at full capacity. Positions
in these units have been left lying vacant in recent times. That has to
stop.
"Community input should be sought via JPCs and community policing fora
into the work of both the drugs units and the specialised gang crime
units."
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