asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of occasions upon which since 1st January last firearms have been (1) displayed in public without lawful authority; and (2) discharged in public without lawful authority in County Tipperary to the knowledge of the police; and the number of these occasions on which (a) a charge has been made, and (b) a charge has not been made by the police against the person committing the offence; and if he will state the number of such charges made before (a) the Military Tribunal, and (b) a court other than the Military Tribunal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Firearms.
The number of occasions since the 1st January last upon which firearms have been displayed in public without lawful authority in County Tipperary is three. The figure for the same period and county in respect of the discharge of firearms in public without lawful authority is 17. The number of occasions on which a charge has been made by the police is five, and the number on which a charge has not been made is 15. Two charges were made before the Military Tribunal and two before a court other than the Military Tribunal. One case is at present pending for trial before the Military Tribunal.
Can the Minister say what exactly is behind the policy which does not make a charge in cases where arms are discharged in public without lawful authority?
There is no policy behind it, but there is insufficient evidence.