Hermon to challenge Garda on Organised Crime
Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon will take the opportunity provided by the visit of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to Dublin (25-27 January 2006) to press the Garda on its efforts to tackle organised crime. The UUP Home Affairs Spokesperson said:
“I’m well aware that in November last year the Garda made additional resources available to tackle serious organised crime. Such resources do however need to be deployed effectively. Most serious organised crime is cross-border and most is paramilitary linked.
In recent days the Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has confirmed that his view on the continued existence of paramilitary criminality is consistent with that of his senior detectives – it is still prevalent.”
Speaking from Westminster, the North Down MP continued:
“It doesn’t matter whether smuggling or other criminal operations are for the organisation itself or for personal gain, if the organisation’s structures are exploited to effect the crime. I intend to take the opportunity created by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee visit to Dublin to challenge Noel White, the Head of the Garda’s National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, on these issues.
In my view, only with clear determination and cross jurisdictional co-operation will any real impact be made on serious organised crime.”