Fianna Fáil proposes new gangland crime unit

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins described the Government’s approach to crime as “scandalous” as he outlined his party’s policy in Dublin on Wednesday.

Mr Collins said Fianna Fáil in power would set up a new Serious and Organised Crime Unit, with a special Cybercrime section, designed to “tackle gangland crime head on” in conjunction with Interpol and other police agencies.

The party is also advocating the retention of the Special Criminal Court and, like the Government parties, committing to a second non-jury court to deal with a backlog of cases.

“The Special Criminal Court stays and all democratic politicians must recognise the courts...Fianna Fáil will propose the creation of a dedicated Dublin City Centre Garda Síochána public order unit to combat drug dealing and anti-social behaviour on our capital’s main commercial streets,” he said.

“This unit will be present and visible on the streets 24/7 and have its membership numbers ring-fenced from all other Garda units. Fine Gael and Labour’s approach to drug crime has been scandalous.”

Mr Collins said the Government ignored crises until chaos ensued. He singled out Fine Gael for particular criticism, saying the party “talks tough, acts soft and is always playing catch-up”.

Turning to Sinn Féin, he criticised the party’s manifesto proposal to repeal the Offences against the State Act which constitutes the Special Criminal Court and outlaws the membership of illegal organisations.

“To me and to most people Sinn Féin are a cult, they’re not a political party. I think they are bereft of any credibility in terms of their stance on the Special Criminal Court,” he said.

“I think people are appalled and disgusted and I think it really shows them up for what they are and people are worried about it...they want kangaroo courts but they don’t want the Special Criminal Court.”

He said his party wanted to see the Garda force built up to 15,000, although he knew political opponents would say Fianna Fáil closed the Garda training college at Templemore.

“Yes we closed Templemore but once this Government came into place they lifted the moratorium on recruitment right across the civil and the public service and they began to recruit into frontline areas where there was a critical need, and they didn’t prioritise policing,” he said.

“The fact that they didn’t recruit for four-and-a-half years I think is a scandal and the chickens are coming home to roost in relation to it.”

He said 1,498 gardaí were eligible to retire today and the Government’s recruitment campaign “won’t catch up with that”.

Mr Collins was joined at Fianna Fáil’s election headquarters by Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick, who is contesting in Dublin Central, and Cllr Catherine Ardagh, Dublin South Central.