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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Crime feud in Limerick

Summary

Deputy Quinlivan raised the ongoing Ballinacurra-Weston and King's Island feuds and said resources are needed in both areas. The Tánaiste said everyone deserves to be safe, praised local workers and gardaí, and said he would ask the Justice Minister to respond on additional Garda support.

I raise the issue of criminal gangs in Limerick, which I have previously raised on a number of occasions. There is an ongoing feud in the Ballinacurra-Weston area on the southside of the city. We also have an ongoing issue in the King's Island area. In fairness to the Government, it has in the past put resources into the King's Island area under Operation Cobalt, Operation Croí and other operations. Unfortunately, those operations have finished. I understand the resources from King's Island have been transferred to Ballinacurra-Weston. They are needed there, but are also needed in the King's Island area.

In the past week or so, I have written to the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, and the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. I also spoke to local gardaí in Limerick, including the chief superintendent. They are deeply concerned. I am asking specifically that we give additional funding to the King's Island area to ensure that the hard-working people in those areas are protected and safe in their homes. We also need to deal with the feud in Ballinacurra-Weston. We need additional resources in both those areas.

I commend the community workers and those working in the services in those areas, who are doing their best in a difficult situation.

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Simon Harris The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is absolutely true that everybody deserves to be safe in his or her home and community. I join the Deputy in praising the community workers and local gardaí for the excellent work they do in the area.

I will talk directly to the Minister for Justice about the King's Island area and the need for more support and resourcing for the Garda. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly.

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