Serious challenges to policing post Brexit

THE ‘very serious challenge’ that a post Brexit border could have on policing was highlighted at the annual cross border seminar on organised crime in Dundalk last week.

The event, which was held at the Crowne Plaza, involved the PSNI, Gardai, National Crime Agency, the Revenue Commissioners, HM Revenue and Customs and government departments.

Among the issues raised were emerging crime trends, money laundering, mobile organised crime groups, excise crime and drugs.

Senior officers from An Garda Siochana and the PSNI highlighted the potential challenges of any type of border being re-established.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton warned that ‘ the more infrastructure there is at the border, the greater opportunities that creates’ for violent dissident republicans and organised gangs involved in cross border crimes such as smuggling.

He said both police forces have been doing ‘scenario planning’ for post Brexit, but said he did not want to get into ‘public hypothesis that will fuel the debate.’

However, he said that through the infrastructure created with the PSNI and Garda joint agency task force, there is already a ‘ thought through response (to Brexit) between the criminal justice system in the north and south.’

Also speaking at the conference,Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan warned that ‘ the imposition of a new range of physical border structures would give rise to a very serious challenge.’

He explained that ‘North-South co-operation at the policy and operational levels in combating serious and organised crime must be a dynamic process having regard to the ease of movement within the Common Travel Area and the ever-evolving nature of the challenges Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan (centre), Acting Garda Commissioner Donal O Culain (right), and Chief Constable George Hamilton attend the Cross-border conference on organised crime at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

that it continues to present to law enforcement authorities.

Minister Flanagan added: ‘We cannot allow the great gains made in the Peace Process, particularly as regards the “open border” to be exploited by people who, motivated by amoral greed, operate outside the laws and norms or society, and, far worse, damage the very fabric of society by activities that have the potential to wreak havoc in the everyday lives of our people, particularly in communities where economic and

social disadvantage exists.’

The Minister continued: ‘ Throughout the discussions on Brexit, the Irish Government has made clear its unshakable commitment to protecting the hard-won benefits of the peace process. We have made it abundantly clear that we do not want to see a hard border on the island of Ireland. It is our hope that in considering its approach to its withdrawal from the EU and the nature of its future relationship, that the UK will choose paths that facilitate the closest possible

relationship between the UK and the EU, not least in the vitally important areas of police and judicial cooperation. The value of that cooperation is of special relevance in a Cross Border context, and the Irish Government is ready to work to ensure that the necessary legislative, administrative and resource allocation arrangements are in place to maintain the very effective levels of cooperation currently enjoyed. It is essential that we continue to sustain the peace and prosperity built up over recent decades.’ A man undertook to sell drugs in order to clear his brother’s debt, Dundalk court has been told.

Andrew Maguire (24), 47 Maple Close, Avenue Road, Dundalk, was nabbed in a garda ‘sting’ operation, when he sold drugs on three separate occasions during June, 2016.

Judge Brennan heard that at this time, the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau was evaluating drug activity in Dundalk.

Sgt Fintan McGroder gave evidence that at 12.55pm on 8 June, 2016, at Hoeys Lane, Maguire sold three small bags of diamorphine for €50; a transaction which was observed by gardaí.

A similar operation was carried out at Hoeys Lane on 14 June, when a €20 bag of diamorphine was sold.

Again, on 21 June, officers contacted Maguire and arranged to meet in the district park at Muirhevnamór, where they bought a bag of diamorphine.

The court heard Maguire has nine previous convictions, from Dundalk and Cork courts, for obstructing a peace officer, theft, public order, criminal damage and road traffic matters.

Solicitor, Eleanor Kelly, added her client is married with one child.

He hopes to start a construction course, and is willing to do community service.

His brother’s debt had got out of control, and, as a result, a car was driven into his mother’s house.

The defendant was told if he sold drugs, the debt would be cleared.

Judge Brennan adjourned the case to Drogheda court on 21 November, 2017; and indicated he is considering a sentence of 12 months imprisonment or 240 hours community service.

He remarked this is an extremely serious matter.