Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 7

Written Answers. - County Cavan Crime Rate.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

38 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the increase in crime in County Cavan, particularly in relation to house burglaries; her views on this serious development; the action, if any, she intends to take to curtail this activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. GeogheganQuinn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the latest provisional figures indicate that there was an increase in the number of recorded burglaries at dwellings in County Cavan in 1992 and that this increase is mainly attributed to the activities of criminals who travel from other areas into the county.

I am very concerned at any increases in crime in County Cavan or indeed in any part of the country, and I wish to assure the Deputy that I, as Minister for Justice, with the full backing of the Government intend to ensure that the Garda have all the necessary resources to tackle crime.

The Garda authorities inform me that a specific plan of action has been drawn up to deal with the particular crime problems experienced in County Cavan. These include the allocation of additional mobile resources in the area, the reorganisation of patrol operations in Cavan town, the extensive use of foot and mobile patrols, the frequent use of checkpoints at various locations at unpredictable intervals and close liaison between gardaí in the various Districts within the county to ensure an effective and co-ordinated anti-crime response.

I would also emphasise that we cannot over stress the role that the community can play in the fight against crime. The Garda authorities in County Cavan have been very active in the promotion of crime prevention measures and use all available opportunities to advise the public on sensible crime prevention precautions which they can take. The involvement of the public in neighbourhood watch and community alert schemes has proved very effective in this regard as they bring the local community into closer contact with the Garda in the reporting of suspicious or unusual activities in their localities. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 15 community alert schemes and 1 neighbourhood watch scheme in operation in County Cavan.

The Garda authorities inform me that they are satisfied that the measures they have taken in County Cavan are proving effective in dealing with the crime situation there. However, I am assured that the situation will be kept under constant review.