New figures show rise in gangland crime


Gangland crime and murder increased during the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2004.
The latest crime figures released by the Department of Justice show 26 people died violently since January - three more than this time last year.
The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said he was concerned about the rate of violent death but added that it is encouraging that the number of deaths involving firearms has fallen significantly in recent times.


Bank and post office robberies, drugs seizures, and possession of firearms were also up but public order offences, cash-in-transit robberies and female rape and sexual assaults were down.
There were 216 incidents involving possession of firearms - six more than last year - but nine less instances where firearms were discharged.
Drug seizures were up 29% to 1,342, while bank and post office robberies were up 22% to 654.
Cash-in-transit robberies were down 39% from 36 to 22, and there were also reductions in sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and female rape.
Assaults causing harm were also down 8% but there were still 1,805 assaults reported over the past six months.
Mr McDowell pointed out that since the end of May, following the commencement of the gardaí's Operation Anvil, there has not been a gangland murder, while 420 people have been arrested and 83 guns have been seized.