McEntee: We must be ready for next gangs

JUSTICE Minister Helen McEntee has warned that the destruction of the Kinahan drug cartel will allow other gangs to take their place and said the State must be ready for that scenario.

She also promised to increase the number of prison officers, as there are now 79 members of the Kinahan gang behind bars.

Speaking at the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) annual conference in Sligo yesterday, Ms McEntee said: ‘I think there is a concern, obviously, as senior members of the Kinahan organised crime group are brought under the spotlight, and the potential of what that means for them, there is always scope for somebody else to move into that space.’

The minister added: ‘I think that’s unfortunately what happens in these types of circumstances.’

She said the right resources were required to deal with prominent gang members in Irish jails and hinted at potential trouble in prison between the Kinahan and Hutch gangs. These factions are sworn enemies and both have members in prison.

‘There are effective ways of managing prisoners, especially where you have prisoners from two different gangs or organisations, and it’s important the prison service is supported to do that,’ she said.

Yesterday, the US ambassador to Ireland revealed that America had been Crime warning: Minister McEntee working for years to bring down the Kinahan cartel before it announced major sanctions against it earlier this month. US authorities announced a reward of up to $5million (€4.6million) for ‘any information leading to the financial disruption of the Kinahan criminal organisation or the arrest and/or conviction of Daniel Kinahan, Christy Kinahan Sr and Christy Kinahan Jr’. Ambassador Claire Cronin told Pat Kenny on Newstalk that the US moves began with American customs and border officials. ‘This is something that has been worked on for several years,’ she said. ‘I think some of it originated from the United States Customs and Border Protection. This shows the importance of our transatlantic relationships – with US law enforcement, the DEA [US Drug Enforcement Administration], law enforcement within Ireland, Europol. The Department of State has this Rewards for Justice programme, and that is where we put up to $5million for the arrest, conviction or information leading to the disruption of their activities.

‘This had never been done before, it’s very significant. In addition, the [US] Treasury Department imposed the sanctions – we’ve seen the United Arab Emirates come onboard as well.’

She said that ‘all of this action together, in partnership, will make a significant dent in their activities’, adding: ‘Hopefully at some point they will meet the justice that they deserve. As we continue to work with our partners and allies, they can run, but they can’t hide.’