Gangs and road safety priorities in Garda plan

THE PURSUIT of gangland criminals, improving Ireland's road safety record and preventing human trafficking will be some of the main priorities for an Garda Síochána next year.

Monitoring domestic and international terrorism, limiting public order offences and improving customer service and response times are other priorities cited in the Garda's 2009 policing plan, released yesterday.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said it was through maintaining contact with the community and building relationships that the force could achieve its goals for the year.

"We have to ensure that we are addressing people's concerns and meeting their needs," he said.

"We will continue to target those people who are committing crime at all levels, including organised crime and drug crime. We will also focus on anti-social behaviour and public disorder, which can affect the quality of life in local communities," he said.

One of the key priorities in the plan is the increased targeting of organised and serious crime networks, including human trafficking networks.

The plan also states that, in conjunction with the Probation Service, gardaí will enhance the monitoring of sex offenders by implementing a structured programme to manage the risk they pose to society.

All people subject to the provisions of the Sexual Offenders Act 2001 are to be risk assessed, the report states.