asked the Minister for Justice the number of offences of (i) robbery and (ii) armed robbery, in the DMA in the first five months of 1986, or the most recent period available, and for the same period in 1985; if he will give similar figures for the country as a whole; and if he will comment on these figures.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Metropolitan Crime.
25.
A total of 613 robberies and 274 armed robberies and armed aggravated burglaries have been recorded by the Garda as taking place in the DMA in the first five months of this year; for the same period last year, the figures were 747 and 240 respectively. for the country as a whole, a total of 685 robberies and 320 armed robberies and armed aggravated burglaries were recorded in the first five months of this year; for the same period last year the corresponding figures were 856 and 286 respectively. These figures indicate that, both in the DMA and in the rest of the country, while the number of armed raids, regrettably has increased since last year, the total number of all robberies including armed robberies, is down in the first five months of this year when compared with the same period last year.
Would the Minister agree that the level of armed robbery and robbery in which violence is involved is too high at present and is continuing at an unacceptable level? Would he say what action he proposes to deal with the situation?
I think the Deputy knows my views on the matter. I am disquieted by the level of armed crime, as we all should be. As I said when answering a question in this House on 22 April last, the Garda authorities have taken special measures to counter armed raids but I do not intend to go into that aspect of the matter because to discuss it in detail in the House would be counter productive.