Fine Gael seeks emergency Dáil debate

Fine Gael called for an emergency Dáil debate on gangland violence this afternoon in the wake of the murder of Shane Geoghegan in Limerick at the weekend.

The party called for the introduction of manadatory minimum murder sentences of 25 years and the party's justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan claimed current sentences were failing to deter gangs.

“By last August there had been just 14 convictions for 127 murders in the last 11 years, and with murderers serving an average sentence of just 13 years, there is little deterrent for this worst of crimes. Murder must carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years," said Mr Flanagan.

Mr Flanagan has written to Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue calling for the suspension of Dáil business this afternoon to allow an emergency debate on gangland murders.

“New anti-gangland laws under the Criminal Justice Act 2006 are still not being enforced. No-one has been charged for directing gangland activity under new laws introduced two years ago," said Mr Flanagan.

“Outrage about the killing of Shane Geoghegan is growing by the day. He is the eighth innocent victim of gangland since Donna Cleary was killed in 2006. There is growing anger with the Government’s failure to take decisive action, and with Dermot Ahern’s ineffectiveness,” he added.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern and the Taoiseach Brian Cowen held a meeting with Garda Commisioner Fachtna Murphy to discuss the escalating problem of gangland crime in Limerick this morning.

Mr Ahern has defended the level of policing in Limerick saying that gardaí have sufficient resources and adequate legislation to deal with gangland crime in the city.

The Minister said in the Dáil there was nothing he could say to console the family of Mr Geoghegan who was gunned down at the weekend when his killers apparently identified him incorrectly as another individual.

Mr Ahern said all the resources of the State would be used to bring “the despicable cowards involved in this killing to justice”.

"The reality is that the fight against those involved in gangland crime is going to be long and has to be waged relentlessly. We are absolutely determined that his murderers are caught and put behind bars."

“We cannot allow the evil deeds of a few to thwart the will of the vast majority.”

Earlier Opposition leader Enda Kenny said during Leaders’ Questions: “This is a war, Taoiseach, and a war you do not appear to be winning.”

Taoiseach Brian Cowen agreed that the murder showed contempt for human life in the same way as previous killings of innocent victims of gangland warfare.

But he added: “It will be met with the full force of the law, within the law,” he said.

But Mr Kenny responded: “We had the last sting of a dying wasp, we’ve had watersheds, we’ve had five years of zero tolerance. But nothing can bring back Shane Geoghegan.

“These people have no regard for human life, no regard for society, no regard for the Government, no regard for our democracy. It’s a war. Win it.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the killing was “shocking, tragic and the manner in which it was carried out was absolutely disgusting.”

He claimed that since 1998 a total of 161 murders in the state only yielded 22 convictions.

“That is a one in eight chance of being convicted of a gun murder in this country. Criminals get away with it because of the fear they instil in communities and potential witnesses.”

Additional reporting: PA