Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 7

Written Answers. - Limerick Crime Problem.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

244 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, she proposes to take to deal with serious crime in Limerick, in particular the matters which came to light in the course of a "Prime Time" programme on RTE television on Thursday, 19 October 1995. [15901/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen):

The various matters raised in the programme referred to by the Deputy are currently under investigation by the Garda.

As the Deputy will be aware, it is not the practice for the Minister for Justice to make statements to the House about the progress of specific Garda investigations except in singular instances where the circumstances of an investigation are so exceptional that such a course is deemed to be appropriate and, accordingly, I do not propose to make any further comment on the matter at this stage.

With regard to crime in Limerick, I am assured by the Garda authorities that the Garda is taking all reasonable steps to deal with the matter. With regard to the most serious crime — murder — I am informed that five murders have been committed in Limerick city since August 1994 and that charges have been brought in all of these cases.