Vol. 426 No. 2
14 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the number of incidents involving the throwing of missiles from the bridge where the Navan Road bypass crosses over the Blakestown Road, Dublin 15 and to the fact that injuries have been sustained as a result; the measures, if any, which are being taken to stop these extremely dangerous occurances; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are aware of the problems referred to by the Deputy and that these incidents are being fully investigated by the gardaí. I am of course concerned that such incidents which can result in serious injuries to persons and damage to property should occur and the Garda authorities have assured me that they have taken a number of measures to deal with the situation. These include the closer co-ordination and use of patrols and greater deployment of plainclothes surveillance units. In addition, particular attention is paid to youths found loitering on bridges over the Blanchardstown bypass.
A recent important initiative is the introduction of talks in schools by Dublin Bus which are carried out in co-operation with community gardaí and which deal with the dangers associated in throwing missiles at buses. I understand that so far 2,700 children in schools in the Clondalkin, Ronanstown and Blanchardstown areas have been visited and the Ballyfermot area will be included in the programme within the next few months. The Garda authorities are satisfied that these measures are proving effective in that there has recently been a significant decrease in the incidence of such acts of vandalism in the area. I am informed by the Garda autorities that they are, however, keeping the matter under review and will make whatever further appropriate action that may be necessary to deal with the problem.
I thank the Minister for her reply, but I still anxiously await a reply to my question which asked what is being done to stop these extremely dangerous occurrences considering that last weekend there were further incidents. People out for a social evening, particularly women, are afraid to go home because of the danger of crossing at the Navan Road bypass. Does the Minister agree that if areas like this are effectively no go areas where ordinary law abiding citizens cannot go out for a drink in the evening and so on efforts should be made to combat these occurrences immediately?
I would be concerned, as I am sure the Deputy would, if any area of our country was to become a no-go area. The Garda authorities have informed me that in addition to the extra patrols, local community gardaí, in association with inspectors from Dublin Bus, are visiting schools in the area to try to make contact with youths, many of whom are involved in incidents of this kind.
Apart from increasing Garda patrols in the area the best way to tackle the problem is to get to the root of it by talking to those who are causing it. The way forward is to do this in a systematic way as in Ronanstown and other areas and as it will be applied in the Ballyfermot area in the next couple of months. Also it is a way to get the support of parents and teachers for the gardaí in this area of operation.
I do not wish to take away from the efforts of the gardaí in relation to this problem. I wish them all the best in tackling it but I will judge by results and I will table another question on this matter on the first occasion possible under the rules of the House.
