Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Incidence of Violent Crime.

Mr. Higgins

(Mayo): In the first five weeks of the new millennium there has been an upsurge in murder and violence unprecedented in the history of the modern Irish State. On the first day of the century a 21 year old was shot dead in Ashbourne, County Meath, and a man has been charged with murder. Only eight days later, on 9 January, the naked body of a teenager was pulled from a Dublin canal. He had been shot in the back of the head and concrete blocks had been tied to his body as an anchor. Two days later the canal yielded up a second body, that of his friend who had been brutally murdered in a similar fashion. News bulletins on Sunday morning, 23 January, told the nation that two people had been murdered in two separate incidents in Limerick and one in Drogheda. On Monday, 31 January, the body of a young man was taken from the River Barrow in Carlow. Two men have been arrested in connection with the find and are helping the Garda with their inquiries. On Saturday last, 5 February, the body of a teenage girl was found badly beaten at Mahon, Cork, and a 17 year old has been charged with murder. In the early hours of yesterday morning the Garda were called to a house in Ardee, County Louth, where a Donegal man had been stabbed to death with the jagged handle of a brush. Last night a patient in St. James's Hospital was brutally stabbed to death and a man connected to the incident was taken into Garda custody and has been charged today.

This brings to ten the number of people who have died in the most violent circumstances – shot dead, stabbed to death and beaten to death. The statistics for 1999 – 40 murders, including 11 gangland killings in Dublin – were alarming and stark enough. However, ten deaths in just over five weeks clearly points to the fact that there is a major crisis in Irish society. We must tackle the problem on several fronts. We need a public debate about the reasons why so many people are putting such a small premium on human life. We must establish the underlying and real reason why society is increasingly turning to violence to resolve disputes and disagreements.

We need a political response from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Never has somebody so vocal in Opposition on issues surrounding violence been so silent in Government. I demand that the Minister makes a full statement outlining the measures the Government proposes to confront this new wave of violent crime and murder in society. What has happened to zero tolerance?

Last week, in reply to a question in the House, a further frightening statistic was unveiled. In the first four weeks of 2000 there have been 34 armed robberies, compared to a total of 48 for the last three months of 1999. In each case the individuals in question made a decision to bring a gun or guns in order to assist in the robbery and to make good their escape in the event they were confronted or resisted. It is quite clear that matters are quickly getting out of control, that we have a crisis on our hands and that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform cannot stand idly by. He must provide whatever resources are necessary in terms of money, ideas, manpower and expertise in order to come to grips with the problem.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I share the House's concern at the number of deaths in violent circumstances we have had so far this year. We must also remember that behind every one of these tragedies there is a grieving family and our thoughts must be with them.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of deaths of persons in violent circumstances to date in 2000 is nine, with detections having been made already in seven of these cases. While obviously the detection rate is commendable it is of little consolation to the victims' families. I have also been informed that a number of persons have been charged in respect of these offences and are awaiting trial. Furthermore, a number of files have been submitted to the law officers whose directions are awaited.

Some of these crimes are very recent and the House will appreciate that it would neither be appropriate nor helpful for me to go into specific detail or speculate as to the motive behind such crimes. Obviously, it is of paramount importance that nothing is said or done which could interfere with or prejudice the outcome of a Garda investigation into any of these heinous crimes or any likely future prosecutions which may result arising from them.

Naturally, while I am concerned with the number of these incidents I think it would be wrong at this early stage to be drawing firm conclusions or making assumptions about the overall murder rate for 2000. In relation to the three most recent deaths I have been informed by the Garda that there is no evidence to suggest there is any connection between them. I am assured that the Garda is actively pursuing those responsible for causing these violent deaths and that all necessary Garda resources are fully deployed in detecting these crimes.

In relation to claims that there is an escalation in the use of firearms in violent crime, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied there is no evidence of any major increase in firearms on the street, so to speak. While it would not be safe to speculate as to the motives behind any of these particular crimes I can assure the House that lest there be any doubt about it I continue to afford the highest priority to the targeting of drug trafficking and related criminal activity.

The House will be aware of the Criminal Justice Act, 1999, a flagship measure in my extensive programme of criminal law reform. The House is also familiar with the continued aggressive policy which is being pursued by the Garda Síochána to bring drug traffickers before the courts. As the House is aware, this has led to significant seizures of illegal drugs, the disruption of organised networks and the charging of major criminals. I wish to assure the House that I will continue to ensure that adequate legislation is introduced to respond to whatever criminal threats may emerge in the future.

I am informed by the Garda that in 1998 and 1997, the last years for which Garda statistics have been published, 38 murders were recorded and 34 were detected in each year. The number of murders recorded in 1998 and 1997 is in fact lower than the numbers recorded in 1996 and 1995, which were 43 and 42 respectively. I note that the detection rate has also improved gradually over time. In 1995, for example, of the 43 murders recorded, 32 were detected. In 1998, however, of the 38 murders recorded, 34 were detected.

While it is of no consolation to the families of those who have died in violent circumstances, the House will be interested to know that the national murder rate for 1998 is approximately 1.05 per 100,000 of population, the most widely and internationally accepted comparator which is among the lowest in Europe.

I can inform the House that I have also spoken to the Garda Commissioner to express my concern at the recent number of violent deaths. I assured him that whatever resources he requires will be made available to him to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice. The Garda Commissioner informed me that for his part no effort would be spared in solving these crimes.

Never in the history of the State have more resources been allocated to combating crime, purchasing modern technology and equipment for the Garda Síochána and ensuring Garda personnel is increased. Never in the history of the State have we had such a major prison building programme to ensure that those guilty of serious offences serve their sentences. The message has clearly gone out via the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Commissioner and the House that if one commits a serious offence for illicit gain, one is not only in danger of losing one's liberty but also one's illicit assets. While I would prefer if crime figures fell further, it is encouraging that they have fallen by approximately 20% since the Government took office.