Vol. 523 No. 3
15 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders reported to the Garda since the beginning of 2000 and the beginning of 1999; the number of cases in each category in which charges have been brought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/00]
69 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the number of unlawful killings which appear to occur with increased regularity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20782/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 69 together.
I can inform the House that the number of murders recorded in each of the last three years 1997, 1998 and 1999 was 38. There was a welcome decrease in the number of cases of manslaughter in these years: from 15 in 1997, to 13 in 1998 to nine in 1999.
Of the murders recorded by the gardaí in 1999, 31 have been detected with proceedings having been commenced in 28 of these. While statistics for the year 2000 are provisional and subject to change as investigations progress, I understand that 30 murders were recorded in the first nine months of this year, 23 of which have been detected. I understand that proceedings have commenced in 20 of these cases.
As the House will appreciate, the number of murders recorded in 1997, 1998 and 1999 is in fact lower than the number recorded in 1996 and 1995, which was 43 and 42 respectively.
I am satisfied that the current arrangements for the investigation of murder and manslaughter cases are satisfactory and I am informed by the Garda authorities that all such crimes are investigated to a conclusion.
