‘We don’t have enough evidence in Cahillane case’
“I gave an undertaking dundertaking when I came down hehere that drugs wowould be one of my priorities and we have a fierce cocommitment to tactackling drugs.”
Cannabis remains maremains the “number bernumber one drug of choice in Kerry” but concerns also centre on heroin and cocaine availability at a time when cocaine use is surging.
TThe Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit is intent on halting supsupply of these serious drugs and the statistics are encouraging aginencouraging in this regard.
HHowever, as always more needs to be done and the KillKillarney Drugs Unit is now set to get more manpower in a bibid to tackle drugs in South Kerry.
“Drugs are the number one scourge in Kerry as they are in every county.”
In Tralee, drug dealers are known to use lanes and out-of-theway walks to avoid gardaí, but such tactics by dealers are being monitored says Supt Myers.
He told The Kerryman that gardaí are focusing intently on the Riverwalk to the rear of the Fels Point area after local recently voiced concerns about activity there.
Indeed, the community-focus of the gardaí is a central tenet of Supt Myers’ vision; listening to what people have to say and responding appropriately.
The relationship between the public and the gardai is vital to fighting crime across Kerry, he says. Supt Myers hopes to continue to build on this relationship and to try to reduce crime in the county. That is ultimately his goal as Chief Superintendent of Kerry.
“I must say the community in Kerry is second to none. We, the gardaí, are not perfect I am sure, but I want the people of Kerry to support us and to have confidence in us,” said Supt Myers.
“The people of Kerry are the eyes and ears of the county and I want people to give us information.”
The recent Cahersiveen crime furore is an example of this, with hundreds calling for more gardaí in the town at a public meeting.
He said this public support helps garda know what is going on the area.
“I want to thank the people of Cahersiveen in particular for their support. I am listening to them and we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation,” he told The Kerryman this week.
He said that they are looking at the resources in the area and that the Killarney District, which Cahersiveen, falls under has now received extra gardaí, which will help with policing in that district.
Five extra gardaí were appointed to the Killarney District last Friday.
“There are issues in Killarney at the moment and they need more support. The next time it will be somewhere else.” THERE is not sufficient evidence to bring anyone to justice for the James Cahillane murder according to Supt Myers. But gardaí are not letting up in their investigation.
Three files have been sent to the DPP seeking direction but none have resulted in a prosecution.
James Cahillane’s body was found in his burnt-out house around 2.05am on April 19, 2012. It was at first thought to be a death due to an accidental fire but was later reclassified as murder. “We don’t have sufficient evidence to bring someone before the court on it. I have met the family on two, if not three times. I hope they understand where we are coming from. Everyone is presumed innocent in this country until they are found guilty.
“The investigation is continuing and we did peer-topeer review with a senior detective officer in Limerick to overview the case to see if anything was missed.
“That investigation is open and I have assured the family and the family will be kept up to date. The challenge is to bring it to a successful conclusion.” GARDAÍ in Kerry with members of the Cold Case Review team will likely be investigating the Kerry Babies case for the foreseeable future. The team met two weeks ago to discuss developments in the case.
DNA voluntarily given to gardaí has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory which is working with gardaí on the case. Supt Myers said that a number of people are co-operating with garda and thanked everyone who is co-operating with the fresh probe.
“There are quite a lot of resources tied up in it and we are hoping to bring it to an end. That is why we opened it. There is a baby that was murdered in Cahersiveen. We want to seek justice for Baby John.”