Armed Gardai Patrol Dublin As Justice Minister Fears More Shootings
The Justice Minister says there is "a cycle of revenge and retaliation among criminal gangs" in Dublin.
It follows the shooting dead of Eddie Hutch Senior, The Monk's brother, at his home on Poplar Row last night.
It's believed the attack was in revenge for the murder of 33-year-old David Byrne at The Regency Hotel last Friday afternoon.
Speaking to journalists at her Department this afternoon, Frances Fitzgerald admitted she’s worried there could be more bloodshed "the reality is there were armed patrols all over the city yesterday, but these criminals are determined to behave in a ruthless fashion".
"Criminals have criminal intent, and are targeting particular individuals - and obviously there are many individuals they could target", she warned.
The Garda Commissioner has defended how the force has responded to the latest wave of gangland activity, after Garda management came in for criticism for not monitoring last Friday's boxing weigh-in.
Following the two murders, the government has agreed on an extra €5M to fund garda overtime, with a new armed support unit of 55 gardai dedicated to Dublin to be formed.
The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that she wants to see "saturation policing" in the capital following the attacks.
Former Lord Mayor Christy Burke has described the murder as a dark day for the inner city community.
He told 98FM News ‘The community is devastated. People are shocked and disturbed that a man could be assassinated like that in his home.’