Specialist Irish unit and Europol targeting organised crime bosses
A special 50-strong unit has been created in Dublin to fight against gangland crime. Europol is working closely with other EU police forces to apprehend the leaders of high-end organised crime gangs, such as Ireland's Kinahan cartel. Criminals are not being "left to their own devices" and it is merely a matter of time before they are caught and prosecuted, according to Rob Wainwright, Europol's director.

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Fifty Gardai today started work on the new Special Crime Task Force about to wage war on gangland crime plaguing Dublin.

The dedicated team - which includes officers from across the country - will work out of a base on Harcourt Street in the capital.

Its main priority will be to put an end to the spiral of gangland murders between the Hutch and Kinahan gangs - and other organised crime.

A source told the Irish Sun: "The new unit is ready to go.

"The targets will be the criminals who have been creating havoc on our streets.

"The aim is to dismantle, disrupt and arrest individuals involved in serious organised crime.

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"It won't just target the Kinahan and Hutch factions - there are other criminals involved in feuds."

The bloody gang war has claimed eight lives so far.

It was sparked when Gary Hutch was gunned down in Spain in September last year.

The most recent death linked to the feud was the murder of David 'Daithi' Douglas.

(Image: Collins Photos)

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has met with north inner city residents to discuss crime in the area.

One of the topics in the meeting was the reopening of the garda station on Fitzgibbon Street.

Speaking about the talks, councillor Nial Ring said: "We were allowed give our view on the state of play in the North inner City, how we felt about the response to date and what we thought was necessary to address the issues on a short, medium and long term basis.

"Some specifics were touched upon such as Garda resourcing, the reopening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station and the need for prescription drug legislation to be passed before the Dail summer recess.

(Image: Collins Photo Agency)

"But overall the Taoiseach assured the representatives that the task force was not a gimmick or a pat on the head towards the community but would be effective and seen to be so."

What do you think of the new task force? Let us know below