Minister For Justice Attends 17th Annual Cross Border Organised Crime Conference

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has attended the 17th annual Cross Border Conference on Organised Crime.

Minister Flanagan joined Permanent Secretary for the Department of Justice Northern Ireland Peter May, the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Simon Byrne, at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan.

Speaking at the Conference, which aims to enhance existing cooperation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border in relation to organised crime, the Minister paid tribute to the law enforcement agencies north and south of the border for their continuing commitment to working collectively to combat organised crime.

Minister Flanagan said: "'Information Sharing and Co-operation' are the twin themes of this year's conference. And they are at the very heart of the ongoing partnership, North and South, that continues to yield successful outcomes in terms of crime investigation and prevention. This is vital for communities living along the border in particular."

Minister Flanagan also reflected on the new and additional challenges which arise in the context of Brexit.

The Minister emphasised that: "Dissidents, and criminals, cannot be allowed to take advantage of Brexit to undermine peace on the island or to engage in other illegal cross-border activities and this forum will be a vital bulwark in that fight."

Peter May, Permanent Secretary, Department of Justice NI, added: "While there is a lot of uncertainty around Brexit, what we do know is that criminals will seek to exploit new opportunities that arise under any future scenario. It is therefore important - whether the UK leaves the European Union with or without a deal - that ways are found to protect and maintain the close North South cooperation which all of our citizens require to keep them as safe as possible from the threat of organised crime.

"Collaborative working, so clearly demonstrated at events like the annual cross border security conference, continues to be the cornerstone when it comes to building networks of expertise to combat and thwart crime."

Speaking at the event, Minister Flanagan also reiterated his condemnation of the violent assault on Kevin Lunney, Chief Operating Officer at Quinn Industrial Holdings.

He said: "Horrific incidents such as this remind us all how critical it is to actively and continually facilitate deep cross border cooperation. I know that no stone will be left unturned to bring the perpetrators of this abominable attack to justice."

The Minister concluded by paying tribute to the dedication and commitment to public safety of the organisations working in this field.

(MH/JG)