I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Cherry Orchard area is policed by the gardaí assigned to Ballyfermot Garda station where the manpower strength, all ranks, as of 31 October 1997 was 74.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that five gardaí are assigned to the area as part of Operation Dóchas and, in addition one garda is assigned to community policing duties. The area is also patrolled by uniform and plain clothes personnel, augmented by mobile patrols from Ballyfermot Station. The district drug unit patrols the area on a daily basis.
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that the number of drug related arrests for Ballyfermot Garda station, which is inclusive of the Cherry Orchard area, in the three month period September to November 1997 was 348 compared to 356 for the period September to November 1996 and the number of drug related arrests from December 1996 to November 1997 was 3,787 compared to 421 for the period December 1995 to November 1996.