Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Nov 1993

Vol. 436 No. 2

Written Answers. - Rural Policy.

Pat Gallagher

Question:

84 Mr. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that policing will be improved in Kilcormac, County Offaly, in view of a recent spate of crime in the area; her views on whether the level of crime prevention and deterrence capability has been reduced as a consequence of the new rural policing arrangements in the area, which mean that no gardaí reside there; the measures, if any, she will put in place to address the increased level of crime in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The allocation of Garda manpower to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities, who decide this having regard to their ongoing assessment of the policing requirements of those areas. They inform me that the current strength of Kilcormac Garda station is one sergeant and two gardaí. This has been the strength at the station for several years.

The gardaí are aware that there has been an increase in the number of burglaries in the area this year and have been taking specific action to deal with this problem. This includes additional patrols in the Kilcormac area and the operation of checkpoints throughout the sub-district. The gardaí inform me that as a result of their activities, five persons were arrested within the last week and brought before the courts for crimes committed in Kilcormac. They have been remanded in custody. The gardaí are confident that their action will lead to a significant reduction in the level of crime in the Kilcormac area.

Kilcormac forms part of the Community Policing Scheme for Rural Areas, which was introduced in 1991, Birr being the Area Headquarters. The introduction of the scheme has resulted in the crime prevention and deterrent capabilities of the local gardaí being increased and there are now more mobile patrols and checkpoints being performed in Kilcormac than at any time in the past.

While there is no member currently residing in Kilcormac, the Garda inform me that they cannot compel any member to live in a particular area, although they are encouraged to reside within a reasonable distance to the town or village in which they serve.