Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Convictions.

Denis Naughten

Question:

156 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of convictions under Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5093/01]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of convictions for breaches of section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 for the years 1997 to 1999, inclusive, is as follows:

Year	Number of persons convicted or against whom a charge was held proved or order made without conviction for breaches of Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990
1997	1,136
1998	995
1999	889

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that convictions under the 1990 Act in respect of the years 1995 and 1996 were not broken down by section of the Act. With regard to the year 2000 the details sought by the Deputy are currently being compiled for publication in the Annual Report of An Garda Síochána, 2000 and are not yet available.