Home > Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 267, 268, 269, 270, 273 - Gangland crime [9015/22, 9016/22, 9017/22, 9018/22, 9022/22].

[Oireachtas] Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 267, 268, 269, 270, 273 - Gangland crime [9015/22, 9016/22, 9017/22, 9018/22, 9022/22]. (17 Feb 2022)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022...


267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the work in progress to disrupt the activities of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9015/22] 

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the degree to which An Garda Síochána is increasing its pressure on drug gangs with a view to reducing the extent to which such gangs continue their activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9016/22] 

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which efforts continue at pace to put drug gangs off the streets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9017/22] 

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 to 269, inclusive, together. 

The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other state agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. A concerted effort has been made over the past two years to ensure that the detection and prevention of these types of criminal activity have not been adversely affected by the unprecedented demands placed on policing services by the vital enforcement of public health restrictions. 

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and countering criminal activity, and the enforcement of legislation pertaining to illegal drugs. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. 

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. The Bureau’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.

The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The implementation of the strategy is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health, however, the strategy includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.  

The strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach - reducing demand, while also reducing access to illegal drugs, and is aimed at reducing the number of people criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use. While this strategy supports vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs. Sustained action by An Garda Síochána has continued unabated throughout the pandemic, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. 

I can inform the Deputy that on 2 July 2021, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs. 

Recent successes of Operation Tara include: 

- Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit in Drogheda conducted a search in the Legavoureen area of Drogheda and seized more than €247,000 worth of Diazepam tablets on Wednesday, 24 November 2021; 

- From 30th November to 3 December 2021, Gardaí in Wicklow, led by the Wicklow Divisional Drugs Unit, searched 26 locations in the county following an extensive investigation targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs. 19 persons were charged and 12 youths were referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. 

- GNDOCB, assisted by other specialised units, undertook a particular operation designed to address drug-related issues being experienced in West Dublin and wider afield, including drug-related threat-to-life incidents and other forms of intimidation. On Wednesday 19 January 2022, 24 premises were searched, with €700,000 in cash seized alongside 16 high value watches and eight vehicles. Six suspects were arrested in the course of the operation. 

- On Saturday 29 January 2022, Gardaí searched three properties in Tallaght, Dublin 24. During the course of the searches four firearms were seized, along with silencers and ammunition. Gardaí also seized approximately €70,000 worth of suspected heroin as well as small quantities of crack cocaine and cannabis. Two men were arrested at the scene. 

I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2021, the GNDOCB seized €63.689m in illicit drugs, and seized cash of €5.6m and £38,751 (UK). In addition, €8.23m, £142,520 (UK) and $23 (US) was forfeited to the State in 2021. 

All drugs seized are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 270 - Gangland crime [9018/22] 

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which individuals or gangs involved in the propagation of illegal drugs continue to be pursued vigorously with a view to closing down their operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9018/22] 

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Commissioner also determines the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State under Section 33 of the Act. As Minister, I have no role in operational policing matters. 

Tackling criminal gang activity is a key priority for the Government and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána. The Government has supported An Garda Síochána in addressing the threat from organised crime gangs through the introduction of a range of legislative measures. 

This includes the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was approved for drafting in September 2020 and will provide, among other matters, for an increase in the penalty for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life imprisonment.  

An Garda Síochána continues to develop and implement strategies to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods. Gardaí target serious criminals and organised criminal groups through the use of focused intelligence led operations by specialist units and agencies such as the Organised Crime Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. 

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. Its work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide and by all Gardaí working in local communities, while working closely with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse. 

I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2021, the GNDOCB seized €63.689m in illicit drugs, and seized cash of €5.6m and £38,751 (UK). In addition, €8.23m, £142,520 (UK) and $23 (US) was forfeited to the State in 2021. 

All drugs seized are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). 

The Budget allocation provided to An Garda Síochána continues to increase, with an unprecedented allocation in excess of €2 billion from Budget 2022. This will allow for the recruitment of up to an additional 800 Garda members and 400 Garda staff. I encourage anyone considering a career in An Garda Síochána to apply to the new Garda recruitment campaign launched by the Commissioner last week, details for which can be found on Publicjobs.ie.

Dáil Éireann debate. Written answer 273 - Gangland crime [9022/22]

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of criminal gang members involved in the sale of illegal drugs or encouragement in the use of various illegal drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9022/22]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and the other state agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard. A concerted effort has been made over the past two years to ensure that the detection and prevention of these types of criminal activity have not been adversely affected by the unprecedented demands placed on policing services by the vital enforcement of public health restrictions. 

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and countering criminal activity, and the enforcement of legislation pertaining to illegal drugs. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. 

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. The Bureau’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse. 

The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The implementation of the strategy is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health, however the strategy includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.  

The strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach - reducing demand, while also reducing access to illegal drugs, and is aimed at reducing the number of people criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use. While this strategy supports the vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs. Sustained action by An Garda Síochána has continued unabated throughout the current pandemic, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. 

I can inform the Deputy that on 2 July 2021, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs. Recent successes of Operation Tara include the seizure of an estimated €125,600 of suspected cannabis in Tipperary on 11 February and the seizure of four firearms, ammunition and an estimated €70,000 of suspected heroin in Dublin on 29 January. 

I am informed by the Courts Service that statistics relating to drug convictions, broken down by District and Circuit Court cases, are published each year in the Courts Service’s annual report and can be found on the Courts Service website at www.courts.ie/annual-report. 

I am further informed that membership of criminal gangs is not noted by the Courts Service during the course of criminal cases.

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