Vol. 515 No. 6
27 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of gardaí at Blessington and Roundwood, County Wicklow, in order that measures will be taken to prevent the practice of joyriding in the Manor Kilbride and Sally Gap areas of Wicklow which is causing severe hardship for many locals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6688/00]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in the four months from I October 1999 to the end of February 2000, 11 unauthorised takings of vehicles were recorded by the gardai at Blessington. Three attempted unauthorised takings were recorded. In the Manor Kilbride area, two attempted unauthorised takings were recorded in the same period.
Local Garda management has responded to the situation by implementing the operation of strategically placed vehicle checkpoints on the routes used by the car thieves; intensive patrolling of these routes; and the collation and dissemination of criminal intelligence on car thieves.
The Deputy will be aware that some of the problems referred to in the question are caused by cars being stolen in Dublin, and then being abandoned or burned in County Wicklow. The problem is manifest at weekends, and targeted patrolling has been introduced by gardai at Tallaght and Rathfarnham as a response. In relation to burnt out wrecks littering the landscape, An Garda Síochána is in co-operation with the local authorities regarding their removal and scrappage, once the appropriate inquiries have been completed. I have been assured that the area will continue to receive attention from the Tallaght and Rathfarnham gardaí on an ongoing basis to alleviate the burden to local residents.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that while local management is satisfied with the existing policing arrangements, it will continue to closely monitor the situation, and consideration will be given to allocating extra resources as they become available and in the light of policing requirements nationally.
