The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has warned against complacency in fighting crime.
He said yesterday that at a time when national crime trends were on the way down, and efforts at confronting the professional criminals, or "godfathers", seemed to be achieving the desired objectives, the community, gardai and other agencies could not afford the luxury of relaxation.
"In fact, we will have to be more vigilant and, through planning, training and use of technology, utilise all our expertise to prepare for the future.
"For a tranquil and ordered society is the cherished ideal of almost everybody. But there are some who choose otherwise, who impinge on the freedom of others. For those the message is clear: the law-abiding must be protected, but to protect them the wrongdoer must be identified and convicted."
Mr Byrne, who was speaking in Dublin at the announcement of this year's Irish Security Industry Association's (ISIA) awards in Dublin, said it was now accepted that the extent and nature of crime was affected by factors outside the control of the Garda and the criminal justice system generally.
"Therefore, it clearly follows that no single agency can combat this inherently complex issue alone. It takes all the various agencies working in a professional and co-ordinated way.
"I am pleased to say that the private security industry has been to the forefront in establishing and maintaining this co-ordination."