69 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the actions he will take against those who are involved in joyriding incidents; the number of cases which have come before the courts over the past three years; the number of successful convictions brought against persons involved in this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/00]
Written Answers. - Joyriding Incidents.
The offence of unauthorised taking of a mechanically propelled vehicle is a criminal offence under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended. I have been assured by the Garda authorities that the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 1993, are adequate to deal with situations where persons use or take possession of mechanically propelled vehicles without the consent of the owner.
Moreover, section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, provides the Garda Síochána with the powers to stop and seize vehicles believed to be driven by underage drivers, who by reason of their age are ineligible to hold a driving llicence and insurance.
Details of prosecutions and convictions for the years 1997 to 1999 for the unauthorised taking of mechanically propelled vehicles are as follows:
Year |
Number of Prosecutions |
Number of Convictions |
1997 |
2,539 |
1,969 |
1998 |
2,526 |
1,929 |
1999 |
3,221 |
2,357 |