Vol. 419 No. 10
33 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the number of reported handbag snatching attacks on women by both pedestrians and motorists in Dominick Street, Upper and Lower, Dublin 1, during the last 12 months; and the number of arrests made in connection with these incidents.
34 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if he will request the Garda to ensure that Dominick Street, Dublin 1, is patrolled particularly at 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. each weekday as female staff going to and leaving work in city centre stores are being attacked on a regular basis and complaints have been received that Dominick Street is not policed at these times.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of handbag snatches in the Dominick Street area during the last 12 months is not readily available and could be obtained only by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.
The Garda authorities inform me that Dominick Street is patrolled at all times by mobile patrols both by uniform and plain-clothes officers, and is covered by foot patrols on a regular basis as manpower permits. There is also a community garda who serves the Dominick Street area. Special covert surveillance is also carried out in Dominick Street and the Garda take other appropriate measures as required to deal with street crime in the area.
