THE failure to resolve "contract killings" was sending out a dangerous signal, the PD spokeswoman on justice, Ms Liz O'Donnell, said.

The impression was being created that "thieves falling out" warranted no real Garda investigation. "Such a dangerous acquiescence or ambivalence is not acceptable." Neither was the apparent silence of the authorities about the totally repugnant attack by a 20 strong mob, armed with baseball bats and iron bars on a person they suspected of being a drug dealer in Dublin on Tuesday night.

The justice system needed to be turned around to meet the critical nature of the drugs problem in cities. No person who sought treatment for drug addiction should be put on a waiting list. It was reckless to allow bail to drug addicts when they had no visible means of supporting their habit.

Spending on security, including the Garda, prison and courts, was £600 million a year, £200 million more than five years ago. With this massive amount of expenditure our citizens have a right to expect minimum levels of protection from the authorities."

The Minister of State for Justice, Mr Austin Currie, said the murder of Mr Joseph Dwyer on Tuesday was now the subject of a Garda investigation and every effort was being made to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The killing was being attributed to so called anti drug vigilantes. "If that is the case - and we will have to await the outcome of the Garda investigation - we must be clear in stating that no person or group has the right to take the law into their own hands. Mob violence can never be justified." Everyone was entitled to the full protection of the law.

The Government had developed a response on the basis that the drugs problem was multi faceted and required a response from a number of Departments and agencies.

"It is vital, in these efforts to deal with the drugs problem, that we harness the goodwill, energy and enthusiasm of local communities in their desire to be involved," he said.