New Bill Proposed To Tackle Rural Crime Gangs

Fianna Fáil has published a new Bill designed to help catch mobile criminal gangs in rural Ireland.

The Bill, introduced to the Dáil by Justice spokesperson Niall Collins, will set up CCTV cameras at all major road junctions in order to assist Gardaí in identifying and apprehending criminal gangs using the motorway network. It will be debated by the Dáil in the coming months but requires government support for it to come into law.

Deputy Collins said: "It's becoming increasingly clear that organised mobile gangs are using the motorway network to travel from cities to rural areas where they carry out horrific criminal acts. This needs to be stopped and what we are proposing will help achieve this.

"There are a small group of thugs who are exploiting the motorway network to target elderly people who are living alone. Fianna Fáil has long argued that additional resources are needed for the Gardai to help tackle rural crime and the legislation we are proposing will provide immediate additional support to Gardai already on the ground.

"This is a simple, practical Bill to help the Gardai do their job in tackling criminal gangs. By equipping all junctions with CCTV and making it easily accessible to the Gardai they can quickly identify the offending car and hunt it down."

Deputy Collins added: "The 8% national increase in burglaries is creating a reign of fear in homes across rural Ireland. The government spin around Operation Thor will do very little for those locking their doors tonight in fear of a break or worse.

"We desperately need an increase in Garda numbers and additional resources. This Bill is one part of that. I intend getting it debated a soon as possible. If it is really serious about tackling rural crime the Government should do the right thing and support this Bill when it comes to the floor of the Dáil."

(MH/JP)