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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Joyriding Incidents.

Question:

66 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the great concern regarding the large number of joy-riding incidents, in particular following two deaths in Cork on 5 October; the steps, if any, he has taken to alert young persons to the great dangers associated with this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20261/98]

The offence commonly referred to as joyriding is a criminal offence under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended, which prohibits the taking of a vehicle without the owner's consent.

The problem of joyriding is, of course, part of the problem of urban crime and disorder, the causes of which are widely accepted as multi-factoral. Solutions can only be found by addressing a wide range of socioeconomic issues. I stress, however, that the approach to this problem in major urban areas, where there is a high density of local development and where inevitably there is a mix of a large young population, high unemployment and a serious lack of basic community facilities, cannot be approached on a purely law and order basis.

This problem is not new and has in fact diminished significantly from the high figures in the mid-1980s. However, there appeared to be an increase last year in this activity in the Cork area. The Garda is pursuing a policy to curtail this activity and evidence to date suggests that the policy is very effective.

Part of the policy involves the Garda working closely with the local community in youth diversion programmes. Since I became Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have supported and funded these programmes, which are community based with the support of the Garda Síochána and which are designed to divert young people away from crime, including joyriding. These are 14 such schemes in existence throughout the country. Three are in the Cork area, where there is also the Cork auto diversion project which comes under the auspice of my Department's Probation and Welfare Service.

These programmes are aimed predominantly at young people and involve various activities, sporting or otherwise, counselling, informal group work, education, group family and after care support programmes, anti-vandalism/pro-environment programmes and other activities deemed appropriate in each of the specific catchment areas.
The aim is to prevent crime, to divert young people from becoming involved in criminal/anti-social behaviour, to improve the quality of life of young people, to provide activities aimed at improving life and communicating skills and personal development and to promote Garda/community relations. These programmes are managed by members of the Garda, the Probation and Welfare Service and various voluntary and statutory groups.
In addition, the schools programme run by the Garda Síochána community relations section is an ongoing active programme throughout the country. The objective of this programme is to make young people aware of the dangers of involving themselves in crime generally and to promote a greater safety awareness among young people.
Other measures taken by the Garda to combat joyriding include higher visibility patrols using four wheel drive vehicles and regular checkpoints. In addition, the Garda air support unit has been used successfully on a number of occasions. Also, under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, the gardaí have the power to stop and seize vehicles they believe to be driven by drivers who are under age. In addition, the Garda uses the vehicle stopping device, known as the stinger, in appropriate circumstances. It has acquired 172 such devices. Garda personnel from each division have been trained in its use.
I assure the Deputy that the Garda will not let up in its ongoing anti-joyriding campaigns, and will continue to liaise with local authorities, community groups and State services so that all possible steps are taken to eradicate the scourge of joyriding from our society.
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