JUSTICE MINISTER KICKS TO TOUCH ON DROGHEDA TASK FORCE ANNOUNCED BY TAOISEACH IN JANUARY
21 May 2020
Ged Nash TD has criticised Fine Gael for kicking into to touch a promise made by the Taoiseach during an election visit to Drogheda where he committed to establishing a task force in response to gang crime in Drogheda.
Deputy Nash said:
“I’ve said it time and again and this proves my point. Fine Gael see the Drogheda gang feud as purely a policing and criminal justice matter. It’s much more complex than that.
“I was encouraged that the Taoiseach (in response to the brutal killing of Keane Mulready Woods) announced in an election campaign visit to Drogheda that he would look to establish a task force, such as the one I have been calling for for almost two years now, to address in a holistic fashion the serious challenges in our community in terms of deprivation, disadvantage, access to opportunity and lack of investment in addiction and treatment services.
“It’s clear from a reply I received this week from the Minister for Justice that we are no further on. It now appears that the current government wants to kick this to touch and let a new administration make the decision on a task force for Drogheda.
“Recent drugs hauls and arrests are a credit to the hard work and perseverance of our Gardaí. But a holistic response, similar to the Mulvey Commission in the north inner city is what’s required for Drogheda if we are to beat the gangs and build resilience in our communities.
“I plan to meet Department of Justice officials very soon in order to move this issue on.”