Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Written Answers. - Indiscriminate Attacks.

Seán Haughey

Question:

520 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the number of indiscriminate attacks on young men; his views in this regard; the measures he is taking to deal with this situation; if figures for such assaults are available for the Coolock Garda District in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7522/01]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of indictable assaults recorded and detected for the years 1996 to 1999 for the Garda sub-district of Coolock are set out in the following table:

Year	Recorded	Detected
1996	10	6
1997	11	4
1998	8	7
1999	8	6

While statistics for years 2000 and 2001 are not yet available, I understand, however, that two indictable assaults described as unprovoked attacks are currently being investigated in the Coolock sub-district and that suspects have been arrested in both cases.

I am also informed that to prevent this type of incident, additional mobile and beat patrols are performed where large numbers of people congregate – in the vicinity of fast food outlets, public parks and areas where such incidents may occur.