GARDA COMMISSIONER Martin Callinan and Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern have identified the tackling of organised crime and breaking gang links to subversive or terrorist organisations as their priorities for this year.
The Garda’s policing plan for 2011, published yesterday, says identifying and analysing the threats posed by terrorist and extremist groups would be among its “key actions”.
Last year then Garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy said dissident republicans were “more likely than ever” to attack Britain after groups were found to be organising in the Border and southeast regions, Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
More than 50 dissident suspects were arrested by gardaí last year, with more than 20 appearing in court.
The policing plan says the threat would be handled by identifying and monitoring individuals involved in subversive activity, continued intelligence-gathering and the use of all available legislation.
“National security and the reduction of crime and fear of crime are part of our core business,” Mr Callinan said.
The plan also says the force will continue to develop its “crisis management capability” in relation to kidnap-robberies and hostage negotiations.
After a spate of kidnap-robberies involving bank officials and their families last year Mr Ahern drew much criticism when he suggested banks needed to impose much larger ATM fees on customers to discourage a dependence on cash.
As well as combating organised crime, other Garda priorities for 2011 include:
* Identifying drug and human trafficking networks;
* Combating low-level street drug dealing and target assets which are the proceeds of crime;
* Minimising the impact of public disorder, assaults and criminal damage;
* The protection of vulnerable persons and groups such as children and older people in the community.
Mr Callinan said the Garda would also be placing an emphasis on domestic violence, crimes of a sexual nature, the management of risks associated with sex offenders and the support and protection of child victims.
This followed the publication last year of policies on domestic violence and the investigation of sexual crime, as well as the establishment of a sexual offender management and intelligence unit.
Mr Callinan said these developments would support gardaí who were “dealing with these challenging and difficult crimes and vulnerable victims”.
