Senior gardai have admitted they are checking fewer people for drugs. It’s because they have to dedicate more resources to tackle the ongoing Hutch/Kinahan war.
The gangland feud has been linked to 10 brutal murders resulting in a diversion of garda resources. For example there has been a massive 62% drop in gardai stopping and searching people for drugs in the city centre and north inner city.
Chief Spt Pat Leahy has told a joint policing committee they've had to channel funds elsewhere to save lives:
"Our focus taken in another direction since February (when the Regency shooting happened). We've been in life preservation mode... and we've put a lot of resources into protecting communities from the gangland feud."
So because gardai are understandably focusing on the gangland feud, there are fewer officers on the ground doing day to day duties. It's leading to concerns that petty crime could rise as a result.
The committee's Councillor Ray McAdam is hoping the reopening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station should address this:
"I understand that we'll see hoarding erected and initial works beginning before the end of this year, possibly in November"
