Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has slammed young people who take part in drug-dealing, branding them as 'losers'.
Mr Flanagan urged locals in the north Dublin area to work with authorities to tackle organised crime at a media briefing outside Coolock Garda Station this morning.
Several young men have died in gang-related shootings across north Dublin in recent weeks.
The Minister for Justice said: "I want to send a message to young people in this area that there is no future in organised crime or drugs or the associated bling that that brings.
"These are losers and I'm calling with the community to work closely with An Garda Siochana to ensure that this current challenge can be surmounted."
Mr Flanagan's message comes one day after Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that perpetrators of recent shootings will not be allowed to exploit church funerals to “enhance their image.”
He said: “On many recent occasions, I have expressed my concern and horror at the level of violence that has affected life in Dublin in recent years.
"I have spoken about the tragedy of knife violence especially among young people. I have spoken about violence fostered by the revolting business of death of the drug cartels.
“In the past weeks, this violence has taken on an unprecedented level of depravity with shootings taking place unscrupulously near schools and shopping centres, leaving families terrified and children witnessing brutality that will leave scars on their lives for years.”
