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Minister Fitzgerald announces Saturation Policing and new Armed Support Unit
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has announced a package of additional measures to tackle gangland crime. Additional resources will be ring-fenced to allow Gardai to sustain and intensify saturation policing in Dublin City, including multiple rolling checkpoints and patrols.
A dedicated new Armed Support Unit for Dublin will be established, comprising 55 Gardai. This new Unit will operate in addition to the ERU. The new unit will build on interim armed response measures currently being rolled-out by the ERU and other units.
This package of measures will be supported by an initial allocation of an additional dedicated €5 million.
The Minister this morning met with the Garda Commissioner and senior officers to discuss the Garda response to recent high-profile murders in Dublin City. The Minister was briefed by the Commissioner on An Garda Siochána’s assessment of the current situation.
The Minister said:
This violent feud is unprecedented in its audacity. The gangs show no regard for public safety. The events we have seen are outrageous. They are unacceptable.
An Garda Siochána has the fullest support of the Government and I. Any and all resources will be provided. We will sustain and intensify saturation policing in Dublin City, including multiple rolling checkpoints and patrols. We will establish a dedicated new Armed Support Unit for Dublin, in addition to the ERU.
Read the full press release here.