The Justice Minister says Dublin’s gang war is an ‘unprecedented situation’ and needs a zero tolerance approach.
Frances Fitzgerald requested extra funding to tackle the Hutch/Kinahan feud at a cabinet meeting this morning. A special garda task force will be set up to tackle gangland crime – with extra powers to work with Social Protection and Revenue officials. Frances Fitzgerald wants wider powers for gardaí – including the setting up of a mini Criminal Assets Bureau.
Meanwhile, a woman arrested as part of the investigation into Gareth Hutch ‘s murder has appeared in court charged with withholding information. The 35-year-old was shot dead near his apartment in Dublin s north inner city last Tuesday. It ‘s been exactly one week since Gareth Hutch was killed in the car park outside his home at Avondale House, Cumberland Street North in Dublin. The father of one, who s a nephew of Gerry The Monk Hutch, was shot while getting into his car at around 10 o clock in the morning. It ‘s believed he was killed as part of an ongoing feud between the Kinahan and Hutch families that had already claimed six victims before his death. Today, Mary McDonnell appeared in court charged with withholding information that she knew or believed might of helped secure the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of any other person for a serious offence. It s an offence that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison on conviction. The 44-year-old, who lives at the same complex where the shooting took place, was remanded in custody for a week. Two others are still being held in connection with the Garda investigation.
