TAKING UP THE CRIMINALS' CHALLENGE TO DEMOCRACY

Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne Looks At The State Of Organised Crime In
Ireland Today

I was appointed Commissioner a few weeks after the murder of Veronica
Guerin. Her killing was a direct challenge to democracy and demonstrated how
daring the criminal fraternity had become.

Garda management was determined to commit the necessary resources to the
investigation of her death and not to give up until her killers were found.

In parallel with these efforts, it was obvious that it was going to be
extremely difficult if not impossible to get evidence against the
"godfathers" of organised crime.

These people, who regarded themselves as the "untouchables", were not
involved in the front line of crime but as background organisers who reaped
the profits. They had to be pursued.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) was to play a major part in the
confiscation of the proceeds of crime. Legal powers, in relation to money
laundering and the reporting of suspicious transactions by financial
institutions, established where to begin an investigation and where evidence
could be obtained. A key factor for success was establishing the CAB under
the umbrella of An Garda Siochana.

Organised crime was not a totally new problem, but it had become more
globalised, with intense involvement in drug trafficking, cross-border
vehicle theft and money laundering.

In order to trace international criminals and their assets, more
international co-operation between police forces was needed. Garda Liaison
Officers work permanently at The Hague, Madrid and Lyons. Special memoranda
on co-operation were signed with Russia, Egypt and Hungary, and we are
nowdiscussing the possible benefits of co-operation with countries who have
applied for membership of the EU.

Where a policing need had to be met, specialist sections were either set up
or expanded to meet requirements the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation;
the Criminal Assets Bureau; the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation;
surveillance units (including air support); and others, such as the Garda
National Drugs Unit, played a major part in investigations at home, often
extending overseas.

It is impossible to realise how hard personnel attached to these units, both
gardai and other State agency personnel, worked over the past few years to
achieve success against organised crime.

Resources of the force have been stretched to the limit often with a loss to
general policing duties. Success in the future depends on how we can deal
with both organised crime and all other demands arising.