Gang feud shooting makes urgent meeting with Justice Minister sought by Policing Committee critical

A “DRIVE-BY” shooting in west Dublin on Friday night in a feud between criminal gangs that has seen six murders makes a request by the Joint Policing Committee in Dublin City for an “an urgent meeting” with Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald even more critical, Sinn Féin local TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Councillor Daithí Doolan have said.

The Sinn Féin local elected representatives were speaking after visiting residents in the Cherry Orchard neighbourhood where two people were wounded in Friday night's shooting.

“Families who have nothing to do with this feud are living in fear after this attack,” Daithí Doolan (pictured) said.

“Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald must make every resource available to gardaí in the pursuit of the criminals behind this attack.”

He added:

“Dublin's policing board has requested an urgent meeting with the Justice Minister to discuss how we can work together to tackle the ongoing criminal feud in Dublin.”

● Joint Policing Committees were established in 2006 in all local authorities following a joint directive from the Department of Justice and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government following on from the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

The purpose is to provide a forum where the local authority and senior Garda officers responsible for policing and safety in the City – with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests – can consult, discuss, influence and make recommendations affecting policing and safety in the city. It is also an important mechanism to encourage and facilitate an integrated approach from the relevant stakeholders.

Dublin City Council has a city-wide Joint Policing Committee and five sub-committees based on the five areas' management/political structures in the city.