Vol. 478 No. 4
183 Mr. Reynolds asked the Minister for Justice if she will meet representatives from the Community Alert Association in Kenagh, County Longford, to approve a resident Garda for Kenagh which will be of great assistance to the community in fighting crime. [11348/97]
The detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities.They have informed me that Kenagh is policed as part of the community policing initiative in operation in the Longford Garda District and, as part of this, there is one Garda stationed at Kenagh. I understand that Lanesboro' Garda Station is the administrative headquarters for Kenagh and that the whole area is, of course, covered by mobile patrols.
The Garda authorities have informed me that there is no official accommodation at Kenagh and that the member currently allocated to Kenagh resides outside the sub-district. I am further informed that the official accommodation was sold in the late 1980 and is now up for resale. I am aware that this matter was already raised at a recent meeting between Garda management and the Kenagh Community Alert Association. However, I am informed that there are no plans to buy back the official premises at Kenagh. The Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied with the present level of policing in the area. However, the situation is being monitored on a continual basis to ensure that an effective service to the area is maintained.
184 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda will address the concerns of businesses in Fairview, Dublin 3, in relation to gangs, crime, drug-related crime and all that this involves; if the gardaí in Clontarf, Dublin 3, have enough manpower and resources to deal with this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11349/97]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as part of Operation Dóchas and Operation Freeflow, two uniformed members patrol the Fairview area daily. In addition, one garda is deployed on foot patrol — as part of the neighbourhood and business watch schemes — and mobile patrols of the area are carried out regularly during the day. I understand that an Inspector attached to Clontarf Garda station is in regular contact with the two groups from Fairview business watch. Additional foot patrols are performed in Fairview as resources permit.
