asked the Minister for Justice if there is any evidence that protection rackets exist in the Capel Street area of Dublin 1 or in any other inner-city area; if this matter has been investigated by the Garda; the outcome of the investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin Protection Rackets.
81.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they have no evidence to suggest the existence of protection rackets in the Capel Street area or in any other Dublin inner city area.
In 1983 two persons were convicted of demanding money with menaces from a city centre businessman and were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. Since then, only one specific allegation relating to a protection racket was made to the Garda and, on investigation, this was found to be without substance.
The Garda are aware that from time to time allegations of a general nature have been made about the existence of protection rackets in the inner city area. However, when persons putting forward such allegations were interviewed by the Garda they have invariably indicated that they were not in a position to produce supporting evidence.