Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Firearms Offences.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

200 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons convicted and imprisoned for offences involving firearms since 1 January 1996; the sentence imposed in each case; and the number and dates of release of each case. [6322/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that detailed information on crimes where firearms were used is published in the Garda Commissioner's annual report on crime, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The 1996 report will be published later this year.

Information with regard to sentence imposed and the number and dates of release of those imprisoned for offences involving firearms is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.