Suspects in killing of Gareth Hutch identified, says Garda

The suspected killers in the Kinahan-Hutch feud have been identified by the Garda Síochána and response protocols for any future attacks devised, the officer in charge of policing Dublin's north inner city has said.

Chief Supt Pat Leahy, in whose Dublin north central Garda division many of the key figures live and murders have occurred, has also expressed his confidence that those carrying out the murders would be brought to justice.

He made his comments as pressure continued to be brought to bear on the Government over its record on resourcing the Garda to tackle organised crime.

Sinn Féin’s deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said more resources were needed for more proactive “in-your- face” policing in Dublin’s inner city.

It was there that Gareth Hutch (35) became the seventh person to be gunned down, and the third member of his family to be killed, in the Kinahan-Hutch feud which began last September.

“Gardaí must be given every single resource they need to create a feeling of basic safety in the community,” Ms McDonald said. “People are afraid bringing their children to school, going to the shops. They’re afraid of going for a pint in the local pub.”

‘Real life’

She said while some had looked on at a feud as if it were a drama, the recent violence was “real life” for those living in the communities worst affected and that “people are frightened”.

Chief Supt Leahy said there had been 3,000 Garda checkpoints and 1,800 street searches in connection with the feud. But if people were intent on killing, there were times it could be difficult to prevent it. “These types of investigations are not new to us,” he said.

“They [Garda officers] are totally committed on delivering care to the communities around here. I’m absolutely confident that we will be successful in these investigations sooner rather than later.

“We all know that you cannot protect everybody all of the time,” he said. “You can put forward the level of protection on a level commensurate with what you’re faced with.

“We would accept a lot of the activity is local. We are pursuing that at the moment and there is absolutely an international connection to this.”

He said work had been done to identify the suspected killers in the feud and other protagonists and that targets in the feud had also been identified.

Chief Supt Leahy spoke as his colleagues continued to question a man who presented himself for questioning to the Garda after the killing of Gareth Hutch just after 10am on Tuesday.

The taxi driver and father of one was shot several times close to his flat at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1.

Suspect

The suspect being questioned is in his late 20s and is from the north inner city. He is denying involvement in the murder but presented himself because he feared for his safety due to suspicions in the area he was involved and Garda activity at his home after the killing.

Meanwhile, the Garda Representative Association, which represents rank-and- file members of the force, yesterday met Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.

Its president, Ciarán O’Neill, said it was clear the Garda was not equipped to meet the challenges. “We don’t have enough resources on the street, we don’t have enough members on the front line policing the community.”