Criminals will be relentlessly pursued vows Justice Minister 

THE State will relentlessly pursue criminals who threaten the safety of communities.

That’s according to the Department of Justice following the murder of Hamid Sanambar in Kilmore last week, the third fatal shooting on the Northside in the space of just eight days.  

The Department said Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan totally condemns any violent loss of life and the recent shooting incidents are deeply concerning.  

A spokesperson for the department said: “The full force of the law will be brought to bear on those behind this violence and related gangland activities.

“An Garda Síochána are now conducting full enquiries into the circumstances surrounding these incidents and Minister Flanagan would appeal to anyone who has information which could help to please come forward to them as soon as possible. 

“Minister Flanagan is in ongoing contact with the Commissioner (Drew Harris) and he has requested a detailed update on the actions being taken by An Garda Síochána to ensure the safety of the local community and to prevent further killings in the area.

“An Garda Síochána work closely with colleagues in other jurisdictions in investigating the supply of drugs and guns.” 

In recent months investigations, led by the UK National Crime Agency supported by An Garda Síochána and local UK police, resulted in a number of court appearances. 

“Gardaí have made important progress in tackling the threat of organised crime and there is ongoing contact between the Department of Justice and the guards to ensure a proactive approach is taken,” the spokesperson added.  

“The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels and the gardaí will continue to be resourced to fight against this violence.”

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan (Ind) said: “This litany of gun murders is a direct threat to our Republic and democracy and it needs the Government to vigorously address and bring those responsible for this appalling and cavalier lack of respect for human life to immediate justice and to take the stern steps that are necessary.”

Local councillor John Lyons is calling on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister Flanagan to visit the area, meet with residents, community stakeholders and elected representatives to “explain how they are going to deal with the escalating violence”.

“There is a sense in the area that things are getting completely out of control, murders being committed in heavily residential areas in broad daylight,” said Cllr Lyons.

“The communities of Darndale and Coolock are reeling from this violence, the vast majority of families living in these areas are trying to live their lives, raise their families and just get on with life.”

The Department of Justice said Minister Flanagan is intending to visit the area in the “coming days”.

Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell (SF) said she wrote to the Garda Commissioner in December highlighting the need for more policing and resources in the area.

“Starving Garda stations like Coolock of resources and staff is unacceptable,” said Deputy Mitchell. 

“We need to see more funding for Local Drugs Taskforces and we also need to see a collective approach with the local community groups and organisations who have put in so much work in ensuring young people do not become involved in criminality.”

Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called for a ‘Mulvey’ report and whole of government response to address the “ongoing killing spree”.

”The latest murder demands a comprehensive response from Government before the situation spirals completely out of control,” said Senator Ó Ríordáin.

”The template is already there from the North Inner City Mulvey Report. 

“This process should immediately be driven by the Minister for Justice who should engage with local gardaí, Dublin City Council, local Drugs Task Forces, residents’ groups and Northside Partnership.”

Local Senator Catherine Noone (FG) said in the short term, additional gardai must be assigned to the Darndale/ Kilmore/ Coolock area to ensure residents feel safe.

“In the longer term, however, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives need to be implemented in the wake of these horrific and incessant incidents,” she said.