Gardaí have started to review 200 unsolved killings over the last twenty eight years as part of a crime investigation plan which was unveiled today by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
The package will see new investigative units and senior posts established as well as enhanced training programmes and the creation of teams of gardaí trained in interviewing "special victims"
New screening tests will also be introduced for candidates applying to become detectives.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy
The estimated 200 unsolved murders are being reviewed by a new "cold case" squad, or serious crime review team comprising eight members. The team has already been working for some months within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda's serious crimes squad.
Speaking at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park today, Commissioner Conroy said the team was already in contact with relatives of victims.
Although many of the unsolved killings are linked to gangland crime, others occurred in random street attacks or in domestic situations. While the 200 or so cases that are being examined occured after 1980, Commissioner Conroy said An Garda Síochana would renew interests in any case before 1980 if the evidence warranted it.
The package of initatives announced this afternoon also included the appointment of some 21 new detective inspectors with one for every district in Dublin and one for every division outside the capital. Extra regional detective superintendents will be also be allocated.
Senior officers are to be recruited to take charge of serious crime inquiries, while 12 incident room co-ordinators have already been trained to free up specialist resources tied up in management roles.
New special victim interviewers are being introduced to aid Garda investigating teams in the interviewing of people under 14 years, as well as victims with special needs, and rape and sexual assault victims. A number of gardai have already undergone a training course which Commissioner Conroy said had been "very succesful."
Forensic collision investigators will also be hired for road crashes, particularly fatal crashes.
A new "crime training facility" is also being set up at Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary, to train officers in the management of investigations into serious crime.
Commissioner Conroy said gardai had looked at police training in the UK and the US but stressed that garda training would be according to 'best practice.'
Commenting on the garda investigation into the shooting of unarmed garda Paul Sherlock in Dublin city centre last week, Commissioner Conroy said "the full availabiltiy of an Garda Siochana" is being concentrated on the investigation.
Commissioner Conroy said he had "no doubt" that the investigative team will bring those responsible to justice. "No efforts are being spared and everything possible is being done," he said.
Fine Gael Justice Spokesman Charles Flanagan welcomed the announcement but said further reform including the gathering of performance data for each division.
"However, there is still a major need for other measures in order to create a Force which has the organisation and the resources necessary to deal with modern criminals," Mr Flanagan said.