Law to tackle terror and gangland crime is renewed by TDs
THE scourge of gang crime and the shocking intimidation of its victims were highlighted as politicians argued in favour of renewing the Offences Against the State Act.
The Dáil last night passed the legislation that provides for the non-jury Special Criminal Court which is used for some terrorism and gang crime trials.
Sinn Féin TDs abstained from the vote – the first time the party has not actively opposed the annual renewal of the law.
That came after Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan committed to an independent review of the legislation.
The law must still be approved by the Seanad before the end of the month.
It remains to be seen if a government will be formed allowing a new Taoiseach to appoint 11 senators to the Upper House so it can sit on Monday to consider the matter.
The Dáil debate on the Offences Against the State Act comes ahead of a Cabinet meeting today that is due to be briefed on Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) operations from 2019.
They include freezing almost €65m in assets, significantly up on 2018.
This was boosted by the granting of a freezing order for cryptocurrency worth €53m. The work of the CAB saw almost €4m returned to the Exchequer, including €1.6m under proceeds of crime legislation.
There was also growth in the number of cases brought before the courts with the majority relating to assets gained as a result of drug trafficking.
In the Dáil, Mr Flanagan argued the Offences Against the State Act is still needed due to the “stark reality” of a threat of dissident republican terrorism. He insisted the provisions of the law “are making a big difference as the State responds to terror and gangland activity”.
Mr Flanagan said there will be a comprehensive, independent review of the law but this will be a matter for the next government.
Sinn Féin justice spokesman Martin Kenny said he would withdraw an amendment to the legislation on the basis of the commitment to the review. He said the review needs to happen before the legislation comes up for renewal again next year.
During the debate, Mr Kenny said the law should not be a “political football” and “we need to bring it into the 21st century”.
Sinn Féin’s TDs later abstained from the vote on renewing the legislation.
Labour TD Ged Nash said his party supports renewal of the law as part of the “fight against the scourge of organised crime”.
He said the legislation is not used enough “to bring known gangsters before the courts and bring them to justice”.
The Louth TD referred to the ongoing gang war in Drogheda which has “destroyed countless lives” and saw the horrific murder of teenager Keane Mulready Woods earlier this year.
He said there are others who have suffered arson attacks on their homes and drug-debt intimidation of parents and grandparents.
He said there has been intimidation of “defenceless and vulnerable young girls sickeningly abused and actually sexually exploited by low-lifes to settle drug debts. That’s the reality of this heinous trade.”
The Green Party said they would support renewing the legislation despite opposing it on occasion in the past due to civil liberties concerns. Justice spokesman Roderic O’Gorman made arguments for why it is needed, highlighting an incident where a garda’s home was set on fire and the intimidation of Quinn Industrial Holdings staff.