Vol. 518 No. 2
22 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders reported to the Garda since 1 January 2000 and since 1 January 1999; the number of these which were regarded as gangland killings; the number of cases in each category in which charges have been brought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11200/00]
50 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the extraordinary number of unlawful killings and attacks which have taken place in the past 12 months; if these attacks or killings indicate any particular pattern; if his Department has taken any extra measures in view of these happenings; if any attempt has been made to identify a general cause or contributory factor; if so, the action proposed to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11213/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 50 together.
As the House is aware, indictable crime statistics can be found in the annual reports of An Garda Síochána, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The most recent annual report details the crime statistics for 1998.
While Garda crime statistics for 1999 have not yet been formally published, I am informed by the Garda authorities that provisional statistics for that year indicate that 38 murders were recorded. Nine cases of manslaughter were recorded during 1999. I should emphasise that these figures are provisional and subject to change as Garda investigations progress. The annual report of An Garda Síochána will contain the final figures in respect of 1999 when it is published later in the year.
In relation to the first quarter of 2000, I understand that the number of murders known to the Garda is 11, seven of which have been detected, with three cases of manslaughter recorded, all three of which have been detected. Again these figures are provisional and are liable to change.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of murder and manslaughter cases for the 12 months ending 31 March 2000 is, 5% lower than the comparable figure for the previous 12 months.
