New Garda fleet to tackle roaming burglary gangs

A new Garda fleet of 200 high-powered cars will be used to target criminal gangs suspected of roaming the country's motorway network to carry out burglaries and other crimes.

The initiative will be announced today by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

It emerged recently that a ruthless burglary gang based in Co Kildare, in which women are often ringleaders, are the prime suspects for dozens of robberies in the Lilywhite county and across the country.

Sources say the 30-member gang use a number of illegal halting sites in Co Kildare to store stolen goods as well as cars and weapons.

Now, the Government is responding to concerns about rural crime and has pledged to unveil a series of special operations and multi-million euro investments.

Sources say the Garda fleet will consist of high-powered Audi vehicles, motorbikes, vans and BMWs for undercover gardaí. This will include specially commissioned Audi Q7 four-wheel drives kitted out to the highest spec by the German manufacturer.

These vehicles will be given to the armed Emergency Response Unit, which will fit compartments for assault rifles and handguns. The 4WDs will be used for checkpoints and high-speed motorway pursuits of roaming burglary gangs.

A core group of up to 10 family-based mobs are involved in the crime wave that has targeted vulnerable rural homes and used the country's motorway system to make rapid getaways.

The gangs, who use high- powered cars that often speed away from Garda vehicles, are mostly Dublin-based, made up of criminals based in suburban areas in the south of the capital. It is estimated that more than 300 criminals are involved.