Lock gangland monsters up for 30 years to end their evil ways

In follow-up searches by gardai other body parts were found and they were later identified as belonging to missing convicted drug dealer Christopher Gaffney from Blanchardstown.

Gaffney had been reported missing almost two months ago by his family. Christopher Gaffney's sadistic killers were so hell-bent on revenge that they chopped him up into pieces as if he were a dumb animal.

Gardai believe that Gaffney was murdered in retaliation for being involved in the disposal of another gangland murder victim, a young man whose body was found not far away from where Gaffney's body was discovered.

PSYCHOPATHS

The psychopaths who kidnapped and murdered Gaffney were not just content with taking his life – they violated and desecrated his body in a horrible and diabolical orgy of violence. These coked-up, paranoid bloodthirsty sadists recognise no boundaries in pursuit of their criminal enterprises.

The menace of organised crime and the escalation of gangland killings on the streets of Dublin and Limerick forced the Government to take action.

Anti-gangland legislation was enacted along the lines of the laws used to combat the Mafia crime families in the United States and very successfully so.

In this new legislation, evidence legally obtained from covert and electronic surveillance can be used as evidence in subsequent prosecutions.

In tandem with this legislation the Garda Commissioner beefed up the resources of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the National Drug Unit.

He also formed a specialist anti-organised Crime Unit which has proved highly successful. All these measures have indeed strengthened the hand of the gardai in the fight against organised crime and they have chalked up some spectacular successes, especially in Limerick where many of those involved in the murderous and lengthy feud are now behind bars.

However, as the recent killing of Christopher Gaffney has shown that the war against organised crime is far from over and indeed never will be.

Despite the best efforts and dedication of brave and resourceful gardai and the courts, the number of successful prosecutions in gangland assassinations is still dismal. At least 74pc of those killings over the last decade still remain unsolved. Threats, intimidation and fear for their lives have made witness to many of these gangland murders fearful to engage with the gardai or testify in court.

Sadly, the neighbourhoods and communities where organised crime gangs rule the roost, the laws of Omerta still stand.

Yet it is still my firm opinion, that the greatest deterrent in the fight against organised crime would be when legislation is enacted to allow judges to put those mobsters convicted of gangland activities such as murder, behind bars for a minimum of 30 years without parole.

This day can not come soon enough.