Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jun 1991

Vol. 410 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - North Dublin Crime.

Mr. McCartan

I thank you, Sir, and the Ceann Comhairle, for the opportunity to raise this very worrying picture that has been highlighted in our national media only two days ago, showing that crime is on the increase, in particular in the suburbs on the north side of the city of Dublin that it is being pushed from the city centre and it has taken us and, it would appear, the Minister for Justice, totally unawares in that regard.

Recent revelation of internal Garda figures indicated that Raheny district in Dublin North-East has experienced the worst figures in the rising crime wave in Dublin. That is appalling and warrants immediate and definite action. Raheny, a settled suburb on our city north-side has been exposed to a reputation it does not deserve, an area with the highest increase in crime in the city of Dublin in the past year in the order of 28 per cent, its near neighbour Santry being the next closest at a 20 per cent increase. The fact that it is also at the back door of the former Chairman of the Dáil Committee on Crime, Lawlessness and Vandalism and the Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy Michael Woods, makes it all the more unacceptable.

I last raised the matter of policing in my constituency on the Adjournment here on 28 November 1989 when the Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy Woods, replied on behalf of the Minister for Justice. I was prompted to raise the matter then by the disturbing figures given to me by the Minister for Justice on 8 November 1989, indicating that Garda numbers in two of the three north-east stations, Raheny, needless to say, and Howth, had been allowed to drop from 41 to 37 in Howth and from 62 to 58 and back to 61 in Raheny over the period 1984-88. I am not saying the crime problem as emerging in these areas and the explosion in the Raheny area in particular are due solely to the drop in numbers of gardaí in these stations but the failure to keep the numbers at an acceptable level and to increase them as necessary is no doubt a contributing factor.

It is clear that by vigorous police efforts crime in the city centre has now been pushed to the city suburbs. The Minister and the Government have been caught unawares and have been shown to be illprepared. However, the signs have been there for some considerable time. Growing unemployment figures in the blackspots close to areas adjoining Raheny were clear indications of a problem that would certainly lead to crime in time. Secondly, a changing pattern from aggressive robberies in the city to a concentration more on burglaries and house break-ins left an area like Raheny vulnerable because of its mainly old and retiring population. Thirdly, the emerging pattern across Dublin North-East shows that drug peddling, especially in public parks such as Belcamp, Millbrook and St. Anne's Park near Raheny, is on the increase. This is well known to the Gardaí and the Minister. Fourthly, increased cider drinking, often by underaged youths, with related assaults and acts of petty vandalism were on the increase and again there was a clear indication that matters were not right.

There is an urgent need now to respond and to restore the good name of Raheny. It is essential that action be taken and seen to be taken to reassure people in their homes and at leisure. Those are four points the Minister should take on board. There should be a reallocation of adequate Garda personnel to the stations immediately concerned, those of Raheny and Howth. In addition, there should be the re-establishment of the Garda Special Task Force and mobile units that have been so effective in recent years but which for some inexplicable reason were disbanded by the Garda Commissioner recently though I understand they are to be reintroduced. That should be done sooner rather than later. There should be an introduction of a comprehensive system of community policing throughout the area and an opening of a Garda sub-district in the Bayside-Sutton Park area close to Raheny because of the overlapping there.

I alerted the House and the Minister to this problem on 28 November 1989. The response of the Minister for Social Welfare and my local constituency colleague, Deputy Woods, was to the effect that there was no real problem and that the Minister was well aware of it. The figures now show that a major problem has emerged. I requires urgent action and response and I hope the Minister of State has good news for the good citizens of Raheny and its environs.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice (Mr. N. Treacy)

The very worrying figures emerging, which indicate that the Raheny district of Dublin has the highest increase in crime in the country in 1990 and the need for the Minister for Justice to introduce an action plan to address this problem is the subject of the motion before us.

As the House is no doubt aware the Minister for Justice, Deputy Ray Burke, yesterday discussed in detail in this House and in the Seanad our approach and the approach of the Garda, to dealing with the crime problem in Dublin and elsewhere. He outlined the positive measures taken to deal with crime and also gave details of the on-going programme of providing adequate resources for the Garda Síochána, the steps being taken to ensure that the most effective use is being made of Garda resources and the initiatives being taken particularly in relation to juvenile crime. The Minister also gave details of the sustained programme of law reform, which is being pursued to ensure the safety of our people from criminal attack.

I do not propose to reiterate all that was said, however, I think it is important to repeat what the Minister for Justice said in relation to the measures being taken to deal with crime in certain parts of Dublin. These measures include the use of additional patrols and checkpoints, greater deployment of plain clothes surveillance units, and the targeting of Garda resources to meet specific anti-crime needs in particular areas. Needless to say the problems of the Raheny district are being taken into account by the Garda authorities in this respect.

I am informed that provisional figures indicate that recorded crime in Raheny district in 1990 increased by approximately 18 per cent. This is indeed a disappointment as the crime level had decreased in 1989 significantly in this respectable area. I am also aware that provisional figures indicate that the level of recorded crime in Raheny district for the first five months of 1991 indicates a further increase. I am informed by the Garda authorities that this increase is attributable to a rise in recorded burglaries and thefts from vehicles. A considerable number of these crimes have been committed by a small group of people many of whom have been or are being dealt with by the courts at this time. I might add here, that the gardaí in Raheny have achieved considerable success in solving crimes in this area over the past year and more particularly, during the last few months.

The divisional task force have been very active in patrolling areas with high crime rates, including Raheny, with a high degree of success and it is planned that they will further intensify their attention together with local units under the direction of the district officer at Raheny. In additional there will be increased patrols by both uniformed and plain clothes gardaí and more frequent checkpoints at various locations will be set up at irregular intervals to deter the activity of criminals.

Deputy McCartan suggested that the task force was abolished recently by the Garda Commissioner as a result of Government decisions. The task force was abolished as far back as 1986. We in Government originally created the task force system which was very successful. The Minister for Justice has reactivated that task force and again it is proving to be very successful. We are taking the appropriate measures in every area of activity to ensure that we can contain and reduce crime and bring to justice as quickly as possible those who commit serious crime, or crime of any type.

It is also important to add that there are three gardaí active in community policing and they regularly visit local schools and attend Neighbourhood Watch meetings. The Garda also encourage the continued participation by residents in Neighbourhood Watch of which there are 50 schemes in the area involving 22,000 households. The Garda authorities are satisfied that these measures will prove effective in tackling the problems in Raheny.

However, the situation is being very carefully monitored. I can assure the House and the Deputy and the residents of Raheny that everything possible is being done to deal with the problem. Our colleagues, the Minister for Social Welfare, Dr. Woods, and Deputy L. Fitzgerald are——

Mr. McCartan

Asleep.

Mr. N. Treacy

——constantly in touch with the Garda and the Minister for Justice regarding the problems. I have listened with interest to Deputy McCartan. He is constantly coming into this House inferring that the Minister for Social Welfare, Dr. Woods, is not doing this, that or the other. It is acknowledged that he is the most successful Minister for Social Welfare in the history of the State. He has done tremendous work in this area.

Mr. McCartan

That is because there are more people on social welfare.

Mr. N. Treacy

If there is to be a reflection on Dr. Woods in the light of crime in the area in question, such reflection must surely extend to Deputy McCartan who is also a Deputy for that area in that both share a common responsibility to represent the people of that area. I can assure this House and Deputy McCartan that the Minister for Social Welfare, Dr. Woods, along with his colleague, Deputy Liam Fitzgerald, leave no stone unturned in bringing this matter to the attention of the Garda and are in communication with them and with the Department of Justice in regard to it. Collectively we will continue to attend to this problem.