Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 1

Written Answers. - Attacks on Garda Vehicles.

Austin Currie

Question:

87 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice if she will enter into discussions with the Garda authorities with a view to providing additional protection for Gardaí from ramming of their vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am, of course, concerned about attacks of this nature and am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner about this and other issues relating to policing in the State.

As the House will be aware, unauthorised taking of vehicles and ramming of Garda cars 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 for 1991 — the latest year for which official figures are available — decreased by 55 per cent since the problem peaked in 1981.

The Garda authorities have informed me that they are continuing to give the matter a high level of priority. The strategies adopted by the Garda to deal with this problem include identifying and targeting areas at risk, 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. In relation to the specific issue of how gardaí are best protected in relation to the ramming of Garda cars, I am informed that members of the Garda Síochána do not operate in isolation and may call on back-up from their colleagues within and outside the district in which they operate.