Vol. 435 No. 9
155 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that local shops in the Collock Garda District have experienced violent robberies recently and that there is a view that these crimes are being committed by known drug addicts; and if she has satisfied hereself that adequate gardaí and patrol cars are available in this district in view of the population of the area.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that this year to date there has been an increase in the number of robberies in the Coolock area against the background of a reduction of about 6 per cent in the overall crime rate for the area as a whole. It is known that an increase in crime in any area can be indicative of an increase in drug misuse, but the Garda are not in a position to say whether this constitutes an explanation for the recent increase in robberies in Coolock.
The current Garda manpower at Coolock station is 91. There are seven mobile units based there, including three cars, two vans and two motorcycles. These are supported by the Divisional Task Force, by the Special Drugs Unit based at Santry station and by the Central Drug Squad based at Harcourt Square. All members of the Garda Síochána are empowered to deal with offences relating to drugs and enforce these laws as part of their daily duties.
