Vol. 535 No. 5
191 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 2 May 2001, he will specify the nature of the non-public duty of the 31 gardaí and if he will list the specialist units referred to. [13154/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources, that the 31 gardaí employed on non public duty at the concert on 4/5 May were employed alongside their colleagues employed on public duty. The duties were assigned by the chief superintendent, Dublin metropolitan area, north central and their role was to protect life and property; to maintain law and order; to endeavour to ensure that no acts of violence occurred between those attending the event; to ensure the event took place without disruption; to ensure that no objects which could be used as missiles were conveyed into the event location; to prevent any acts of criminal damage to equipment and facilities located at the Plaza for the purpose of holding the event; to prevent unauthorised access to the event location; to assist stewards in ensuring the safety of those attending the event and to identify and seize any forged tickets which were presented by any person(s) attempting to gain entry to the event.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that in addition to general policing of the event, the concert was monitored by the divisional traffic unit, the divisional task force, the divisional drugs unit, the Garda air support unit and the Garda dog unit.
