Written Answers. - Crime Levels.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
118
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the number of drug related unlawful killings in the past 12 months; the plans if any he has for dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15739/00]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that 38 murders were recorded in 1999, of which 31 have been detected, and 21 murders have been recorded from 1 January 2000 to 28 May 2000 of which 15 have been detected. The Deputy should note that these statistics are provisional and may be subject to change.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all killings, regardless of the circumstances involved, are the subject of a rigorous Garda investigation. The identification of the motive and the evidence available in its support are key elements of the investigation and prosecution processes. Speculation as to the nature of the motive could serve to jeopardise successful investigations and prosecution of serious crimes.
I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner in relation to recent violent incidents and he has informed me that the necessary resources have been directed towards this area of criminal activity and that a continued proactive and integrated approach is taken by the Garda to the investigation of these cases. He has assured me that no effort will be spared to solve these crimes and bring those involved to justice.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
119
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if he is concerned at what appears to be gangland warfare; if he will take any particular action to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15740/00]
The Deputy is well aware that the use of violence and intimidation by criminals is not a new phenomenon and in cases where the victims are also involved in crime there can be major difficulties involved in investigating the crime.
I have been assured by the Garda authorities that all violent crime, regardless of the circumstances involved, is the subject of a rigorous Garda investigation. The identification of the motive, such as an association with organised crime and the evidence available in its support are key elements of the investigation and prosecution processes. Speculation as to the nature of the motive could serve to jeopardise successful investigations and prosecution of serious crimes.
I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner in relation to recent violent incidents and he has informed me that the necessary resources have been directed towards this area of criminal activity and that a continued proactive and integrated approach is taken by the Garda to the investigation of cases where there is a suspicion of the involvement of organised criminals. He has assured me that no effort will be spared to solve these crimes and bring those involved to justice.
My policy of tough legislation, backed up by strong law enforcement measures, has proven to be an extremely effective approach to combating organised crime. I have adopted strong legislation, such as the Criminal Justice Act, 1999, which provides for a minimum mandatory ten year sentence for persons convicted of dealing in drugs with a value of £10,000 or more. The Act has also brought in a range of other measures designed to prevent intimidation of witnesses, jurors, those assisting the Garda in the investigation of an offence and their families and provides a maximum ten year prison sentence upon conviction of these offences. Another importance piece of legislation, which I introduced while in opposition, is the Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996 which has been utilised very effectively by the Criminal Assets Bureau in order to successfully confiscate the moneys earned through criminal activities.
The establishment of specialist Garda units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, and the Garda National Drug Unit has enabled the Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime effectively.
The witness security programme was developed in order to prevent criminals from intimidating those who assist the authorities in bringing these criminals to justice and has been used successfully to date in organised crime investigations.
I believe that our legislation is amongst the toughest in Europe for tackling organised crime, but I am constantly evaluating our response to organised crime, in conjunction with the Garda, and I can assure the Deputy that I will take whatever steps are necessary to deal with the situation.
