Howlin welcomes task force to combat crime

I am encouraged the Taoiseach responded positively to my call at Leaders Questions today to establish a multi-agency task force to combat the rise of gangland crime in Dublin’s North Inner City.

The North Inner City is a wonderful neighbourhood with a strong sense of community. It is unacceptable that violence and murder is now becoming a regular occurrence in the area.

The North Inner City community has overcome challenges like this before. My former colleague Joe Costello played a crucial role and continues to do so in working with the North Inner City community to tackle crime and criminals.

In order for the task force to be effective it must carry real weight. It should engage with key stakeholders in the community to ensure there is a comprehensive and broad based approach to tackling gangland crime. There needs to be a focus on addressing issues of deprivation, education and healthcare. It must also work with our European partners to combat the transnational nature of modern day criminal activity.

I express my full solidarity with the people of the North Inner City who stand united against these criminal gangs. The State must act swiftly and decisively to put an end to this violence.