asked the Minister for Justice what special measures the Garda Síochána are taking to stamp out teenage gang warfare in Dublin; whether any measures are being taken to prohibit the sale of flick knives to juveniles; whether any sections of the Garda are detailed for work on delinquent gangs; and whether the Garda are co-operating with existing youth groups in promoting healthy social recreation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Teenage Gang Warfare.
28.
The Garda are of the opinion that gang warfare as such is not a serious problem in Dublin, though outbursts of violence and disorder occur from time to time on occasions when young persons congregate for recreation or some other purpose which is not in itself unlawful.
Garda foot and radio-equipped mobile patrols are constantly on the alert to deal with incidents of disorder and violence and where trouble is anticipated at particular places or in particular areas over particular periods special Garda arrangements are made to meet any situation that may arise. Ordinarily, the number of mobile patrols are increased during each week-end period.
The Garda play a very active role in helping to prevent and control juvenile delinquency of all kinds. They take an active part in the formation and running of youth clubs both in Dublin and provincial centres and they operate a juvenile liaison scheme whereby contact is maintained with young offenders who commit trivial or technical offences. The Garda deal with their problems in a sympathetic way and help them by advice and example from getting into further trouble.
The Criminal Justice Bill, which will contain provisions for the control of offensive weapons and knives, is at an advanced stage of preparation and I hope to introduce it during this session.
Is the Minister aware of the bloody events in Dublin last weekend when the father of one of the children involved remarked on the public ward of one of our hospitals as being like the scene of a theatre of war?
I am very much aware of the situation. It related to the operations of one particular gang of five youths who are at this moment before a district court in Dublin.
Is the Minister aware that these five youths rampaged through Redmond's Hill, Kimmage and Dolphin's Barn in a period of two hours and that apparently there was no check during this period on their travels?
On a point of order, I am reluctant to interrupt the Deputy but if there are five persons remanded on criminal charges, surely we should impose a restraint upon ourselves and not discuss the case here?
I think we should speed up our apprehension in any such instance.
On the contrary, there was immediate apprehension in this case.
I ask the Chair to rule on my point of order. Five persons are on remand on a criminal charge. Is it appropriate for us to proceed with a discussion of the merits of this alleged incident while these persons are awaiting criminal prosecution?
Deputy Dillon is right.
It is not. It should not be discussed here.
Is the Minister aware that he promised some time ago to ban the sale of flick knives, and so on? He assured us that the legislation was at an advanced stage. When will the Bill be before us?
I can guarantee the House that it will be this session.