Minister McEntee publishes Garda Inspectorate report on transnational organised crime
- Foilsithe: 5 Samhain 2024
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has today (Tuesday) published the Garda Síochána Inspectorate’s report - ’Transnational Organised Crime – A Review of the Structures, Strategies and Processes in the Garda Síochána.’
The report acknowledges the considerable success An Garda Síochána has had in targeting high-profile crime groups and seizing large volumes of drugs and other criminal assets.
It also makes recommendations to An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and other agencies to further address the threat posed by and the impact of organised criminal networks.
Speaking today Minister McEntee said:
"I would like to thank and commend the work done by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate in producing this report on transnational organised crime.
"Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the government and my department.
"This report reflects some of the major successes An Garda Síochána have had in this area in recent years.
"It also highlights areas for further improvement and I look forward to working closely with An Garda Síochána and officials in my department in this regard."
Minister McEntee has taken a number of steps to support the work of An Garda Síochána in dealing with illegal drug use and organised crime. These include:
- increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime
- enacting new laws to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime
- drafting new laws which will provide for the use of facial recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences
- rolling out a support programme to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit
- signing treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance with the United Arab Emirates to ensure that organised crime gangs can have no hiding place anywhere in the world
An Garda Síochána is targeting those involved in street-level drug dealing across the country and disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking networks through Operation Tara.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Since 2019 the GNDOCB have seized approximately €390 million worth of drugs, with further seizures this year. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation is a critical element in the overall response.
Significant interceptions of controlled drugs in the last 12 months are a testament to the success of this co-operation.
Upon the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 on 16 December the inspection functions of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate will be incorporated within the newly established Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA).
The report is available at: Garda Inspectorate Inspection Report on Transnational Organised Crime.