JUSTICE Minister, John O'Donoghue, was last night accused of "an extravagant waste of taxpayers' money" over his pledge to open 2,000 extra prison spaces by the end of the government's term in office. Irish Penal Reform Trust director, Dr Ian O'Donnell, said the pledge was difficult to understand and called for a moratorium on prison building. "For the past two years, crime has been steadily falling and all the indications are that it is continuing to fall at a significant level this year," said Dr. O'Donnell. "It's extremely difficult under these circumstances to understand why we need to almost double the amount of prison spaces available." [continues 403 words]
THE underworld market for illicit narcotics in Ireland remains buoyant, despite many recent garda successes against major drug operators like John Gilligan. And seizures over the past 18 months may not have had a significant impact on street supply lines. "A great demand exists for these drugs and where there's a demand, there'll be an attempt made to supply," said Detective Superintendent Tim O'Callaghan of Cork drug squad. He agreed generally that the drug market remains strong. A network of criminal gangs, with close links built up since the late 1970s, has been operating between Dublin and Cork and is largely controlling the illicit drug trade in Ireland. [continues 293 words]
