Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 2

Written Answers. - Joyriding Problem.

Ivor Callely

Question:

109 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the Garda policy in relation to tackling the serious problem of so-called joyriding; if gardaí chase or intervene against speeding joyriders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

As the House will be aware, unauthorised taking of vehicles or so called "joyriding" was a major problem in the early eighties, particularly in the Dublin area. A number of measures were taken to counteract it which included significant legislative changes and effective Garda action. These measures have proved to be extremely successful. In fact the level of unauthorised takings in 1990 has decreased by almost 50 per cent since the problem peaked in 1981.

The Garda authorities have informed me that despite the success in dealing with this problem they are aware of the tragic effects which it can have for the community and are therefore continuing to give it a high level of priority. The strategies adopted by the Garda to deal with this problem include identifying and targeting areas at risk, the intensive patrolling of such areas and the surveillance of persons suspected of being involved in such activity. The Garda authorities also inform me that they liaise closely with local authorities on measures which can be taken by them to prevent high speed driving.

The Garda authorities also consider that the role of the public in protecting their vehicles is crucial. In this respect they actively encourage car owners to take more care in parking vehicles and ensuring that they are locked and made as secure as possible when left unattended. Far too many cars are stolen every year because of failure by their owners to secure them properly. The use of steering column locks, car alarms and other anti-theft devices has been shown in recent international studies to have a remarkably strong deterrent effect. For instance, 83 per cent of car crime offenders interviewed in a recent British Home Office study said they would not try to steal a car if they knew it was fitted with an alarm.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the onus is on the individual garda driver to decide if the circumstances of a particular case are so serious as to warrant undertaking the pursuit of a speeding "joyrider". This matter is the subject of detailed Garda operational instructions and the House will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to disclose details of such instructions. I can say, however, that the overriding principle involved is that pursuit should not be undertaken in a manner which creates a perceptible risk of death or injury as a result.

The Garda authorities inform me that they are continuing to monitor the joyriding problem and will take whatever measures may be appropriate to prevent and detect this dangerous and illegal activity. In the interim I would appeal to the car-owning public to take more action to make their vehicles safe and secure.