FG want army to fight crime

[cyberianpan]

RTE
The Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, has said he will ask the Garda Commissioner if the Defence Forces should be deployed to assist in tackling gang-related crime.

The minister was responding in the Dáil to Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan, who said that 'gangsters' are living in fear of nobody, and that there is now a sub-culture of 'vicious criminals' in Ireland.

Deputy Flanagan said the Government should consider introducing the Army as back-up to gardaí.

Are FG forgetting to take their meds ? Even they must realise this is a desperate attempt at populism ... it is clutching at straws, given the troubles up North & keen interest in Iraq even the hysterical "crime is out of control brigade" know that an army is unsuited to police work.

Does FG have any control over its TDs or are they serious on this "policy" ?

Being someone who quite dislikes FF I'm actually now glad that FG are nowhere near power & am hoping that this remains the case until they heal themselves.

cYp

[meriwether]

The army were deployed for foot and mouth. That was 'police work'.

They were also deployed to catch Dessie O Hare and Dominic McGlinchey, which was police work.

They also protect cash in transit.

Now, I know these are extreme examples (actually the F&M isn't), but, and in extreme examples, they could be handy for road blocks, perhaps there is a role for low level, routine stuff that could free up 30 of 40 guards for an hour or two. Obviously the army are unsuited to arrest (the Cops have correct training, in restraint, rights, intelligence etc), but Id be surprised if Flanagan wants the army patrolling the streets and shooting at will.

I personally thought, that when the huge consignment of drugs was found off the Cork coast, and the culprits went on the run, Munster should have been put on lockdown to catch them. The army could have been useful for ro******************************************s in this instance.

If he does- bad idea. Just get more cops.

[daithimac]

I could see use for the army ranger unit as a suplement to the emergency response unit but for them to be patroling the streets with no real power to arrest or intervene without direct orders would be pointless and only add to the sense of hopelessness in gang related crime. I

[Aristotle II]

We have an army. It's doing shag-all , why not put it doing something useful? Putting the army on the streets, armed, would finally level the playing field between the forces of law and other and the criminal gangs which are more or less subversive. This is a suitable role for the army, yes, there are many possible pitfalls but to retake control of the streets in certain parts of the country is vital to the maintainence of law and order

[meriwether]

I could see use for the army ranger unit as a suplement to the emergency response unit but for them to be patroling the streets with no real power to arrest or intervene without direct orders would be pointless and only add to the sense of hopelessness in gang related crime. I

Good points, I agree.

[youngdan]

A few weeks ago I made the outragous prediction on a blackwater thread that you could see these thugs in Ireland and now I am wondering if it is closer than I thought.

[droghedasouth]

deleted

[iceman]

Interesting debate and i am all for combatting Gangland crime but the Irish Army i am not to sure. Possibly attending ro******************************************s, Dawn Raids let me think on this for a bit.

[meriwether]

Interesting debate and i am all for combatting Gangland crime but the Irish Army i am not to sure. Possibly attending ro******************************************s, Dawn Raids let me think on this for a bit.

Lets say there is a major Gardai operation in any area.
Ro******************************************s are needed.
What does it take to staff a ro******************************************?
4 or 5 (armed) cops? 2 squad cars to block and/or chase?

If we had 2 soldiers, 2 cops, and one army vehicle, that would free up 2 cops, and 1 squad car for more sophisticated work.
Im not saying soldiers are unsophisticated, but the Gardai will have specialist intelligence of the area. The 2 soldiers will be needed for a physical presence/back up only.

[iceman]

Bringing in the Army to guard convoys of money from a paramilitary army, or to assist with disease control, are perfectly valid uses of the army. These activities are unique and far from normal Police work. Day to day law enforcement is however a very different matter. Soilders are totally unsuitablable for it. Its like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

The solution to the gang problems is simple, just enforce the existing laws (at all stages). The Gardai know whos causing the problems, so when they are arrested for a crime they should be denyed bale. They should then be brought before the Special Criminal Court. CAB should also go after them and go through their finances with a fine toothcomb. Lock them up and take all their money.

Ahh its that simple is it.