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.

Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, moved to reassure people that these gang lords are “not being left to their own devices” and are being followed by police forces across the EU.

Mr Wainwright was speaking after meeting with Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and before his address to the MacGill Summer School in Donegal.

“We know about these guys [Kinahan bosses],” he told Today with Sean O’Rourke show on RTÉ radio.

“Over the years we have been helping the gardaí and other authorities in dealing with these kinds of criminal groups.”

He said they offered as much help as the gardaí needed and said Europol had a very close relationship with other EU police, including in Spain, a Kinahan base.

“It’s part of a growing criminal trend across Europe where we have organised crime groups spreading their wings across European countries. It’s a typical case.”

But he rejected any idea they were untouchable, pointing out that they had to find the evidence first.

“It’s not for me to comment on the particular stage of the investigation, [but] in most instances dealing with these high-end criminals, it’s only a matter of time before they are caught and locked up.”

He added: “Believe me, these gang members are not being left to their own devices — they are being followed by police services around Europe.”

Garda sources said their investigations into the Kinahan cartel were ongoing.

They said they were working with foreign partners and that there was “very close co-operation” with Spanish police.