‘No tolerance for godfathers’
IN the wake of the latest threats to the Quinn Industrial Holdings directors Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has told the MoS that ‘self-appointed godfathers’ will not be tolerated in Ireland.
Mr Flanagan, along with the Government, has been criticised over the perceived lack of response to the five-year campaign of intimidation.
This week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris provided updates to a Cabinet sub-committee that included
Leo Varadkar and Mr Flanagan on several investigations into crimes in the border region.
These include the arson attacks at the home of the Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny, on Emyvale Garda Station in Co. Monaghan and the continuing threats to QIH executives.
On RTÉ’s Prime Time this week, Mr
Flanagan did not answer a question on whether he thought somebody was paying for the campaign of violence against
QIH.
The Mail on Sunday asked the minister this weekend that if it was the case there were paymasters behind the campaign, what his response would be.
Mr Flanagan told the
MoS: ‘Self-appointed godfathers will not be tolerated or allowed to operate with impunity.’ He said: ‘The rule of law will not be subverted by a small number of ruthless criminals.
‘Those of us who recall the callous murder of Veronica Guerin are acutely aware of the consequences if criminals believe they can operate beyond the law. ‘There are no “untouchables”. The State will relentlessly pursue those responsible.
‘The dark days of
“no go” areas along the border will not return,’ he said.