Written Answers. - Victims of Crime.
Joe Walsh
Question:
13
Mr. J. Walsh
asked the
Minister for Justice
the number of visitors to Ireland in 1994 who were victims of crime during their visits; the nature of all such crimes; and the conviction rate of the perpetrators of such crimes.
[2259/95]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to enable me to say how many visitors to Ireland were the victims of crime during their visits.
I have already said in reply to the earlier question by Deputy O'Donoghue that there is need to improve the statistical output of the criminal justice system. The fact that I am not in a position to tell the House how many visitors to this country were attacked last year is proof positive that change is needed in this regard and should have been brought about before now.
Both the Garda Síochána and I are conscious of the traumatic effect which crime can have on visitors. The gardaí liaise closely with Bord Fáilte and other tourist interests with a view to preventing such criminality.
A number of measures have been taken by the gardaí to deal with the problem. These include the deployment of additional Garda patrols, both uniformed and plainclothes in areas of high tourist interest and the provision and distribution of an information leaflet by the gardaí which is written in three different European languages and gives advice to tourists on how to protect their property and personal belongings. These leaflets are also available at all seaports and airports.
Another measure designed to help in tackling the problem is the provision of the Garda office which opened in March 1990 in O'Connell Street, Dublin. This serves as a centre for advising tourists on preventive measures which they can take to safeguard themselves and their belongings.
The Garda community relations unit have launched a street map for tourists in Dublin, which lists places of historical and current interest and also includes crime prevention advice. Supervised car parks are depicted on the maps. It is intended to extend this project to other larger populated areas frequented by tourists.
I understand from a victim support survey that the major locations of crimes committed against tourists are:
O'Connell Street, Christchurch, Wicklow Street, Grafton Street/ St. Stephen's Green and James's Gate (the Guinness Brewery).
Gardaí deploy additional patrols in these and other areas frequented by tourists and they supply information leaflets in three European languages which advise tourists on how to protect their property and personal belongings.
A new initiative in the area of crimes against tourists is the establishment of the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service which was launched on 14 April 1994 and which is being operated by the Irish Association for Victim Support (IAVS). This new concept is modelled on the existing Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service and provides tourists who have been the victims of crime with a practical support in order to assist them in overcoming the initial trauma of their experiences. The Garda Síochána have been involved in the setting up of this service and have provided premises for its operation at the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Area Headquarters at Harcourt Square. A co-ordinator with a victim support background has been appointed to head the team of volunteers who possess a wide range of foreign languages. All volunteers have received extensive training to allow them deal effectively with tourists who become victims of crime while on holiday in Ireland. I am confident that this service will prove to be of immense benefit to visitors to this country who suffer the misfortune of becoming victims of criminal activity.
