asked the Minister for Justice the circumstances under which a member of the Garda Síochána was assaulted and injured near Moore Street, Dublin recently.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assaults on Gardaí.
59.
I do not think it would be appropriate for me to undertake to give an account of how a particular offence was committed—especially when there is, I hope, every prospect that the case will result in court proceedings.
60.
asked the Minister for Justice what arrangements exist for supporting individual Gardaí on the beat in the city of Dublin who run into difficulty in the course of duty, exposing them to personal risk of injury or assault.
In the circumstances in question, a 999 telephone call will bring assistance from one or more of a large number of mobile Garda patrols. In some city areas foot patrols are performed by Gardaí in pairs, at times when there is any likelihood that incidents calling for Garda intervention may arise.
I have given approval for the introduction of two-way walkie-talkie equipment for Gardaí on patrol in certain city areas and tests are being carried out with pilot equipment. When tests prove successful the appropriate equipment will be purchased for general use.
Is the Minister aware that following previous representations, the Gardaí on beats were doubled in certain circumstances? Would he not consider that an extension of that procedure is called for in areas such as the area where this event happened?
Where necessary, this is done. The walkie-talkie equipment should help considerably in enabling Gardaí to link up with each other so as to provide greater strength, where necessary.
Is the Minister aware that the incident in question would have been over before assistance could come to a Garda, as far as I am aware, with walkie-talkie equipment or otherwise? This Garda, I understand, was actually stabbed with a sharp instrument and the whole affair was over before either a squad car or other assistance arrived.
The incident happened a week ago. The Garda is fully recovered and is back on duty. The practice has been, as occurred in this case, that Garda patrols in pairs are initiated in troubled areas where such incidents occur. They move in pairs.
It is like shutting the stable door when the horse has gone.
61.
asked the Minister for Justice, whether, in view of increasing threats of violence to Gardaí in the discharge of their duty, he will introduce legislation to provide for severe minimum penalties for any person convicted of assaulting or injuring any member of the Garda Síochána in the execution of his duty.
I have had inquiries made of the Garda authorities and there seems to be no evidence to bear out the Deputy's fears that there is an increasing threat of violence to the Gardaí in the discharge of their duties. Since 1st January last, the number of assaults on Gardaí resulting in some injury or risk of injury was seven.
As regards the law, the position is that at present such an assault carries a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment. I do not agree that minimum penalties are desirable in principle and, in the present context, there seems to be no need for them in practice. In recent times, at all events, the courts have consistently shown that they are alive to the fact that assaults on the Gardaí in the execution of their duty are serious crimes which threaten the security of the citizen and which merit, as a normal rule, a penalty which the offender will not forget. In fact, the courts are, nowadays, giving prison sentences almost as a matter of course for any assault involving injury to a Garda on duty.
When the Minister says that he is not in favour of minimum penalties, does that apply to all legislation which he proposes to introduce?
I have always held consistently with that view and I will hold consistently with it.