Justice Minister Dermot Ahern is set to announce new measures today aimed at cracking down on gangland crime. The proposals follow talks between the minister and the Garda Commissioner following the murder of 35-year-old Roy Collins in Limerick last week. Reports this morning say Mr Ahern's plans to introduce a new offence of gang membership. People accused of the offence will automatically appear before the non-jury Special Criminal Court, unless the DPP directs otherwise. The minister is also reportedly planning to publish legislation paving the way for covert bugging operations to target gangland criminals.