asked the Minister for Justice what steps are being taken to protect members of the Garda Síochána from attack and infliction of personal injury by criminally disposed persons; the number of such attacks in the last six months in the Dublin area; the number of persons prosecuted in relation to such incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Attacks on Gardaí.
27.
In the period since 1st September, 1967, a total of 98 assaults were made on members of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Area. Personal injury was inflicted on the gardaí concerned in 12 of these cases but the injuries, by and large, were not of a serious nature. Charges were preferred in all cases save one.
The Garda authorities recognise that the protection of the man on the beat is an important matter and give it constant attention. Whenever violence is considered at all likely, patrols are intensified and the single-man patrol is replaced by a two-man one.
The recent equipment of beat-men in Dublin with personal radio sets linked to the Radio Control Room and to the mobile units lessens the isolation of the man on the beat.
If a situation developed in which the Garda Authorities felt that additional protection was needed, I should have no hesitation in giving my consent to appropriate measures.
Is the Minister aware that the police themselves are gravely concerned at the leniency being shown to criminals and blackguards by district justices and judges in the city of Dublin?
That matter cannot be discussed on this question.
Is the Minister further aware that last year a criminal stabbed a garda with a table knife and was allowed out under the Probation of Offenders Act? That is not the way to treat blackguards and criminals.
Decisions of district justices cannot be discussed on this question.
I would emphasise that our whole legal system depends on an independent judiciary deciding each case on its merits according to the facts in a given situation as presented before a judge in open court after all the evidence has been heard.
Are our judiciary as independent as we would like? Is it true that political influence has been brought to bear in many cases?
That does not arise.
It is not true.
It is quite true.
It is not true.
Prove it. Say it outside the House.
It is not true.
There are criminals and thugs and blackguards walking the streets today who should be in Mountjoy.
The Deputy comes high in the category of blackguards.
(Interruptions.)
Is it true that certain district justices are afraid to deal with the people concerned in the way they should because of the fact that they cannot go into a hotel without being threatened and molested by these people and their relatives? I say this because I have had complaints.
I have no evidence of that. I should like the Deputy to furnish me with the facts.
It does not arise on the question.