Vol. 443 No. 3
121 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice if she will make more gardaí and resources available for Navan, County Meath in view of the fact that drug abuse and teenage drinking occurs openly on the streets and a greater Garda presence on the streets is needed.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have no evidence of under-age drinking and drug abuse occurring openly on the streets of Navan. Local gardaí maintain ongoing surveillance of areas where it is believed that drug and alcohol abuse occurs. In the past year a local publican has been successfully prosecuted for drink-related offences concerning under-age persons.
There was a slight reduction in the level of crime in the Navan sub-district last year as compared to 1992. Preliminary indications are that this trend will continue in 1994.
The present Garda strength at Navan is 45 compared to 43 in December 1993. The Divisional Officer is satisfied that the present policing arrangements for Navan are adequate. However, the level of manpower and resources allocated to the area is continually monitored and reviewed by the Garda authorities.
