Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Drug Unit.

Tony Gregory

Question:

190 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if there is now only one member in the Garda Drug Unit, in Fitzgibbon Street Station, Dublin 1, which covers the area where the largest heroin seizure was made in 1992; and the steps, if any, she will take to provide a properly manned unit there.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The Garda authorities inform me that members of the force based at Store Street Garda station operate in the Fitzgibbon Street area as required and were responsible for the large seizure of heroin referred to in the Question. The Gardaí involved in cases such as this act on available intelligence, and the drug dealers generally do not confine their activities to a particular sub-District.

Eight Gardaí based at Fitzgibbon Street station have received specialised training in drug law enforcement and this expertise is used on an on-going basis. Four members of the District Detective Unit at Store Street have special responsibility for targetting drug dealers in the general area. They also receive back-up support from the Drug Squad at Harcourt Square when necessary. In addition, a Task Force based at Store Street station comprising 1 Sergeant and 8 Gardaí deal with crime, including drugrelated matters in the locality.

The Garda authorities inform me that their strategies to tackle the activities of drug dealers are as flexible as possible and include the setting up of local specialised units when required. Of course, all members of the Force have the power to make arrests if they suspect that any crime has been committed. The situation in relation to Fitzgibbon Street District is being kept under continuing review by the Garda authorities.