Limerick gangs activities curtailed, says Ahern

Although criminal gangs based in Limerick continue to be active, their ability to act has been curtailed due to increased Garda activity, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said today.

Mr Ahern was speaking during a visit to the city where he was briefed by the Garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy on the progress of the Garda's operation against criminal gangs operating in the Limerick area.

The Minister was also updated on the investigation into the recent brutal killing of Shane Geoghegan.

Mr Geoghegan (28) was shot dead near his home in the Kilteragh estate in Dooradoyle on November 9th, in a case of mistaken identity. His attacker is believed to have mistaken him for a Limerick drug dealer who was the intended target.

Mr Ahern was accompanied on his visit to the city by the Minister for Defence and Limerick East TD Willie O'Dea and Minister for Overseas Development Aid Peter Power.

Speaking following this morning's briefing, Mr Ahern said that Garda activity in Limerick was at its highest ever level, with a 12 per cent increase in Garda resources in the past year alone.

An additional 90 gardaí have been stationed in the Limerick division during the past 12 months, 80 of whom are based in the city. Additional resources have led to the increased seizures of drugs and guns and the fall-off in gun crime in Limerick this year.

"Although the criminal gangs based in Limerick continue to be active, it is clear from the briefing I have received that the pressure being exerted by the gardaí on these gangs is having encouraging results. The capacity of these criminal factions to carry out their deadly trade is being increasingly curtailed," said Mr Ahern.

The Minister added that no resources would be spared in tracking down those responsible for the murder of Mr Geoghegan.

While in Limerick Mr Ahern announced €200,000 funding for two new CCTV schemes in the southside of the city. The areas covered under the new schemes include Southill. Kincora Park, John Carew Park, Keyes Park and the O'Malley Park housing estates.

In total, the area covered under the schemes extends to about 1,100 houses.