The Garda Commissioner today welcomed the new measures announced by the Minister for Justice and Equality which will enable An Garda Síochána to strengthen its capability in tackling organised crime.
In addition An Garda Síochána is establishing a Special Crime Task Force as an organisational wide response to coordinate, support and enhance the existing Garda effort to combat organised crime. The Special Crime Task Force will be controlled and coordinated by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and will adopt an intelligence led, focused and targeted approach in respect of individuals and groups engaged in organised crime.
The Special Crime Task Force will operate in support to the work being undertaken by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau which has had significant success since its establishment. The supports provided by the Special Crime Task Force will include assistance to other specialist units in An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau. In this regard a primary focus will centre on targeting the proceeds of crime in close liaison with other statutory bodies, including the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Social Protection. The Special Crime Task Force will utilise the expertise of the Divisional Asset Profilers, all of whom have received specific training in investigations of this nature. In addition the specialist services that the Special Crime Task Force will access include the expertise provided by the Garda Síochána Analysts Service.
Commissioner O’Sullivan stated that in recognising the significant impact and damage caused to communities by organised crime, that these new measures will assist in enhancing the service we provide to the public in tackling and disrupting organised crime at all levels.
