Government Aims To Target Organised Crime

The Government has approved new measures to crackdown on crime gangs with the drafting of legislation to provide for the scheduling of organised crime offences.

These measures also toughen sentences, place new bail restrictions and allow Gardaí to detain suspects longer for questioning.

When these offences are drafted, then, subject to review by the Government and consideration by the Gardaí, it is proposed to schedule them so that they will be tried in the Special Criminal Court unless the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directs otherwise.

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D., said: "This is groundbreaking legislation we are announcing here today. It is something we do not do lightly but we have a duty to protect our citizens and ensure the rule of law.

"We cannot tolerate a situation where citizens live in fear of crime gangs. This new legislation send out a clear message to those involved in criminal gangs that we are taking you head on."

Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern T.D., agreed saying: "These so-called crime lords have shown a blatant disregard for human life and an arrogance that they in some way believe they can operate outside the criminal justice system because of intimidation and threats.

"This is something we can not and will not tolerate. This new legislation provides the State with the measures to put these criminals behind bars and help rid law abiding communities of the scourge of organised crime gangs."

Among the key provisions being proposed in the new Criminal Justice Bill are a new offence of directing or controlling a criminal organisation which will carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and another relating to participation or involvement in organised crime will be created with a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.

Expert Garda opinion evidence as to the existence of criminal gangs will also be admissible in evidence.

In addition, organised crime offences will in general attract higher sentences than the same offences committed by individuals, although the maximum permissible sentence will not be exceeded.

In regard to all organised crime offences, the court will be enabled to draw inferences from failure to answer questions, failure to account for movements, actions, activities or associations.

Under the proposals, the penalty for intimidation of a witness or juror will be increased from 10 years to 15 years imprisonment.

The Gardaí will be also able to detain organised crime suspects for questioning for up to 7 days.

Mr Cowen added: "We must ensure that the criminal law is effectively implemented and that the administration of justice is not interfered with through the intimidation of juries and witnesses."