500% rise in murders using guns

Murders involving guns have increased five-fold since 1998, yet just 34 per cent of such crimes have resulted in criminal proceedings in the last five years. In 1998 there were four gun murders, there have been 21 so far this year.

Figures released by the Department of Justice to Labour's spokesman on justice, Mr Joe Costello TD, reveal there have been 67 murders involving firearms since 1998. Criminal proceedings have begun in respect of 23, or 34 per cent, of those cases.

There have been 263 murders in the Republic since 1998, with proceedings having begun in 123, or 47 per cent, of cases.

Mr Costello said the number or criminal proceedings arising from the gun murders is "worryingly low".

"The vast majority of these cases were gangland killings and it is a stark indication of the problem Irish society is facing."

He added: "The Minister for Justice cannot continue to bury his head in the sand and ignore the scale of the gangland violence going on around us.

The Government should honour the commitment it made prior to the election in regard to the recruitment of an additional 2,000 gardaí, but there is also an urgent need for him to sit down with the Garda Commissioner to devise a strategy to end gangland violence and to ensure that those who use guns are brought to justice."