andMr. R. Barry asked the Minister for Justice if he will appoint a second member of the Garda Síochána to the station at Glenville, County Cork, in view of the inadequate service being provided in the area.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - County Cork Garda Station.
37.
Glenville Garda station has been operating as a one-man unit since August 1966. The assessment of police requirements in any area is a matter primarily for professional policemen, and the commissioner has advised that the Garda service being provided at Glenville is adequate for the present needs of the area. It is not, therefore, intended to increase the strength of the station at present.
Do I take it that the Minister said that it was his Department's intention not to increase the Garda strength at Glenville?
I said that it was not intended to increase the strength of the Garda station at present.
Might I ask the Minister if he considers it sound policy to have any station anywhere, including Glenville, served by only one garda in view of the fact that, by reason of the regulations and agreements, each garda has seven days off in 28 days, which means that in this particular area of Glenville the people are without the service and protection of the garda one week in the month?
That is not so. Glenville is attached to Carricknavar which is six miles away and the district headquarters is at Blarney. The district patrol car regularly patrols the Glenville area.
Is the Minister aware that while the garda, who is an excellent official and who operates alone at Glenville, was on holidays for three weeks in the summer there was no garda in the district and there were four robberies, one at the creamery, one at the general store and two in private houses? One of these robberies was accompanied by violence. They occurred in those three weeks. With that information, is the Minister satisfied that the people are being properly treated in that village?
The statements made by the Deputy are incorrect. Now that we have had the allegations we will have the crime figures for Glenville. The population is 514 people. In the year 1965-66 the indictable crimes numbered nil; in 1966-67, nil; in 1967-68, one; in 1968-69, nil; and in 1969-70, two. The total for five years was three crimes. I would imagine that the garda at present stationed at Glenville is in danger of expiring from boredom, as far as crimes are concerned.
The Minister has accused me of telling an untruth to the House.
There can be no debate on this. The Deputy had three supplementary questions on this. There are 50 other questions to be dealt with.
I have given the figures.
Is the Minister aware that during August and September, 1970, four robberies occurred in Glenville and district? I have mentioned the four of them.
They did not occur. There were two crimes in the crime year of 1969-70.
I am talking about August and September, 1970.
On the night of 26th August, 1970, two crimes took place. They consisted of two break-ins into lock-up shops. In one case a sledge hammer was stolen and in the other case a safe and property valued at £95 was taken.
The Minister has no record of the private houses which were broken into.