19 September 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD , who is in New York as Head of the Irish Delegation at the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants has met senior NYPD officers to share information about tackling serious organised crime and gang violence over the last few days. The Tánaiste was invited to attend the inauguration of the new NYPD Commissioner following extensive talks with the new Commissioner and his assistant commissioners.

The Tánaiste said “We share a common determination to tackle serious organised and gang crime, and the violence and damage it inflicts on communities. And we are also determined to ensure that law enforcement has the resources and capacity to face down those involved”

The Tánaiste has held a series of meetings with senior NYPD officers covering key strategies to tackle crime including the use of technology, community policing, and targeted intelligence based operations to deal with organised crime and terrorism.

“Of course there are many differences between the policing environments in our two jurisdictions, but I was also struck as to how similar many of the issues faced are. This has provided me with an excellent opportunity to speak with senior law enforcement officers here in New York and to exchange ideas and best practice around some of the shared challenges we face.

Events in New York this weekend are a reminder of the challenges facing police forces here and all over the world, particularly the persistent threat from those intent on terror and destruction” the Tánaiste said.

The Tánaiste also took the opportunity to meet with NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and attended his inauguration “I was very pleased to meet with the new NYPD Commissioner Mr. James O’Neill to discuss policing matters. It was clear to me that Commissioner O’Neill is a man passionate about and dedicated to serving the people of his City and I would like to wish him every success as he takes up his new role”.

“I also had the pleasure of meeting the McCabe Scholars at John Jay University, two Gardai who are furthering their own education in a world class environment" the Tánaiste concluded.

These meetings form part of what is a busy schedule for the Tánaiste which includes speaking as Head of the Irish Delegation at the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants and participating in the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees hosted by President Obama and partner countries as well as a number of other related events.

ENDS