asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the recent serious increase in house break-ins and robberies in County Laois and with particular reference to a recent attack on an old man at Mountrath, he will take steps to increase Garda strength in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Laois Housebreaking.
71.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are aware of the recent house-breakings and the attack referred to in the question and that measures are being taken to deal with the matter. I do not propose to go into the details of these measures.
The Garda authorities consider that the manpower currently assigned to stations in the Portlaoise and Abbeyleix Garda Districts, which serve County Laois, is adequate to meet the present police needs of the area. The situation is being kept under review by the Garda authorities.
I want to again draw attention to the important role that the public can play in the prevention and detection of offences of the type referred to, especially those perpetrated against elderly people who live alone. I understand that a total of ten community alert schemes are now in operation in County Laois, including one in Mountrath, and that the local gardaí are liaising with the organisers of these schemes so that there can be a very high level of Garda and public co-operation in the prevention of offences such as housebreaking.