"It's the only way out of it," he said. "We have to solve this problem in Limerick and across the country.

"We have to have a situation where we have selective internment of known criminal gang members. It's the only way out of it. It was done during the time of the troubles with the Republican parties and I think it should be re-introduced.

"The Guards know who these gang members are in Dublin and in Limerick but these new laws that Dermot Ahern brought in a few months ago after the Collins murder and the Shane Geoghegan murder in Limerick, not one person has been brought before the courts.

"I understand from the Guards they have to build up cases against these people before they can take them to court. I think what should happen is that we should introduce selective internment."

Mayor Kiely was speaking on the Lunchtime with Eamonn Keane programme on Newstalk radio.