asked the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the attempts to firebomb major shops in the centre of Dublin, the threat of further firebombings, the action he has taken to deal with this situation and any further action he proposes to take.
Private Notice Question. - Attempts to Firebomb Dublin Stores.
Yesterday morning the gardaí at Store Street station were informed that two suspect devices had been found in a Dublin city centre shop. On examination it was established by the Garda that these were incendiary devices. They had not ignited but the Garda are satisfied that they were capable of doing so. Following the discovery the Garda contacted the owners and managers of city centre premises with a view to ensuring that their premises were checked for similar devices. None was found.
Shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday the RUC informed the Garda that a telephone call had been received by the BBC from a person claiming to represent the Ulster Freedom Fighters. The caller claimed that 15 to 20 incendiary devices had been planted in city centre shops in Dublin last Saturday. All of the named locations were thoroughly searched by the Garda and staff of the premises last night but nothing was found. However, I understand the searches of city centre premises by staff have continued today and that two further devices were found a short time ago at one of the named locations.
I should like to assure the House that all the measures which are considered necessary to deal with this threat are being taken. The Garda have, as a matter of course, regular consultations with the representatives of city centre business premises regarding security measures to deal with this type of incident and they are available to advise, as necessary, on such measures.
In view of the fact that devices were found, I would ask the owners and managers of all premises to which the public have access to be particularly vigilant. I would also appeal for extra vigilance on the part of all members of the general public who should notify staff members if anything suspicious comes to notice in shops and elsewhere.
Arising from the Minister's reply, will he state whether there is a special Garda plan of action or co-ordinated response when such incidents occur, which would include, for example, the drafting of additional gardaí into the city centre area to deal with perhaps the parking of suspect vehicles, illegally parked cars and so on which might possibly pose a further threat as has been the case in Dublin in the past? There appears to be no such——
Brevity, please, Deputy Gregory.
I will conclude by saying that there appears to be no such co-ordinated plan of action on the part of the Garda.
I can assure the Deputy that there is a very well co-ordinated, well organised plan of action which is put into operation when such threats are made. It is, of course, vitally important that in any action that is taken we do not have to cause public alarm and concern with the implications that would have for centre city trading. The Deputy can be assured that the Garda are very active in relation to any threat that is made. They warn the general public, as they have done in this case, they warn the staff of the stores in the city centre area to be vigilant and they contact the management of the stores. Every action that can be taken is being taken.
May I ask the Minister if there is any further information on the persons who planted these devices, if the Minister is satisfied that they were loyalist gangs who planted them and if the Garda are pursuing any specific points of inquiry with regard to the persons who planted these bombs?
As I said in my initial response, the reports went through to the BBC in Belfast, claiming to be from UFF sources, and the Garda are working in close co-operation with the RUC in trying to find the perpetrators.
Has the Minister any proposals to re-establish checkpoints at certain points of entry from the Northern roads as is done on special occasions such as the football match last Saturday?
The matter of checkpoints is strictly one for the Garda Commissioner, and obviously he will be reviewing the matter in the light of what has happened over the past two days.