Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Operations.

Ivan Yates

Question:

101 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has had in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner to increase the level of police surveillance and activity in the Courtown area of County Wexford in view of the inadequate levels of policing particularly for the summer months and the large influx of persons for the holiday season. [7104/00]

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

The detailed allocation of Garda personnel to an individual area is a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that the current personnel strength at Courtown Harbour station is one sergeant and two gardaí.

The opening hours for Courtown harbour station are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, as resources permit. After 1 p.m. the remainder of the day is spent on foot and mobile patrol. All members from Courtown are employed on regular tours of duty alternating between early and late tours. When the station is closed, it is linked by way of the Green Man communications facility to the district headquarters in Gorey.

I am also informed that there is a marked patrol car permanently attached to Courtown harbour station. The Gorey district patrol car based at nearby Gorey is also at hand to lend assistance if and when required and demands at other centres permit.

During bank holiday weekends and on other busy occasions at the resort, particularly during the summer season, when the area experiences a significant increase in population, the local district officer augments the strength at Courtown with other personnel from Gorey district. Local detective personnel are also utilised to pay attention to Courtown.

I am aware that over the past number of years Courtown has been the subject of major development with a large number of new houses built in the area which in turn has contributed to a major increase in the population and created additional demands on local gardaí. In addition, these demands are further exacerbated on weekends with a major influx of young people attending discos and night clubs in the area. Ongoing efforts are made to combat crime in the tourist resort – including regular checkpoints and patrols in the area as well as patrols by detective personnel.

I also understand that there are three community alert schemes in operation in the area, in Ballygarret, Ballycanew and Ballymoney.

The Garda authorities have informed me that, having regard to the many policing demands of Gorey district and the division generally, especially during the summer season, the best use of available manpower and resources is made to provide an adequate policing service throughout the entire division. However, further consideration will be given to allocating extra resources to the district as personnel become available and in view of competing policing demands nationally.