Vol. 396 No. 6
155 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been brought to the problems of illegal moneylending in Mullingar, County Westmeath, as outlined in a report (details supplied); the action, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that this abuse of the law is stopped as quickly as possible and that the people in need of such facilities will obtain assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the newspaper report on alleged illegal moneylending in Mullingar to which the Deputy refers.
The following is the position as far as matters coming within my area of responsibility are concerned. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí pursue actively all illegal breaches of the law in relation to moneylending. In keeping with this policy the gardaí began investigations two years ago when allegations of irregularities by moneylenders in Mullingar were made at public meetings and in local newspapers by local representatives. With the exception of one case, which was reported last September and which is at present before the courts and therefore sub judice, the gardaí could find no evidence to support the allegations made.
