Cross border efforts tackling crime hailed by Minister for Justice

Cross border efforts to tackle organised crime on the island of Ireland have been hailed by police commanders and government ministers from north and south.

Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald and Stormont's Justice Minister David Ford joined PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton and interim Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan at a conference in Belfast that highlighted the co-operation between law enforcement agencies in both jurisdictions.

The annual cross border organised crime seminar was held a week after Irish and British authorities worked together to intercept a yacht trafficking around a tonne of cocaine off the Cork coast.

At the event in the La Mon hotel the ministers highlighted successes during the previous year and the challenges presented when criminals identify new areas to target.

"Organised crime can take many forms and the gangs involved will exploit every opportunity to make money illegally, usually without any regard for the wider community," said Mr Ford.

"There is no place in society for those who seek to profit from drugs, smuggling illicit fuel or tobacco, and one of the vilest crimes of human trafficking.

"As Justice Minister and chair of the organised crime task force I am determined that through the fullest co-operation on both sides of the border we will continue to have successes against these gangs.

"Intelligence led policing has proven to be very effective, but we also need the public to commit their support by refusing to buy products they suspect are illegal. Money they pay for cheap fuel can end up buying drugs that can have devastating effects in our communities. At many levels we can all help defeat these criminals and bring them to justice."

Ms Fitzgerald said: "I welcome this opportunity to build on the close relationship that exist between departments and agencies, north and south. This conference provides us with the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of our Governments to ensuring that all steps are taken to disrupt organised crime gangs on this Island.

"Organised crime comes in many forms and this conference helps to ensure that cross border criminal issues are tabled on an Island basis, so that effective and coordinated plans can be put in place to reduce the effects of crime on both sides of the border.

"In recent days we have seen significant international cooperation involving some of you here. Events such as these also raise awareness of the multi-faceted nature of organised criminal activities such as fiscal offences including tobacco and fuel laundering, offences against the person and drugs offences. Tackling this type of criminal activity effectively requires all of our input across agencies and society."

Following opening addresses delegates attended workshops by members of law enforcement from both sides of the border on subjects such as human trafficking, mobile organised crime groups and tobacco smuggling groups. There was also a presentation on criminal cyberisation.

Mr Hamilton said the seminar provided a "valuable platform" on which to build partnerships and share ideas.

"Many of the issues we face, as law enforcement practitioners and as a society on this island, are familiar," he said.

"Our challenge in the coming days and beyond will be to decide how we can deliver a comprehensive response to cross-border organised crime against a backdrop of competing demands and reducing budgets."

Interim Garda Commissioner Ms O'Sullivan added: "An Garda Siochana and the PSNI have a long and successful record of co-operating to tackle cross-border crime. We work on a daily basis with our colleagues in the PSNI to protect communities on both sides of the border. This information sharing conference is a further demonstration of the strong working relationship we have with PSNI and the determination of both police services to keep the island of Ireland secure from a range of threats nationally and internationally."

Online Editors