Vol. 538 No. 5
2 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position of the Garda Síochána and the Army in relation to public order offences committed within army camps; if it is the Garda Síochána or the Army who have responsibility for dealing with such offences; the arrangements there are for co-ordination between the Garda Síochána and the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18383/01]
I am advised by the military authorities that they liaise as necessary with the Garda Síochána in relation to the application of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
The majority of military installations are enclosed by a perimeter fence or wall and members of the public are admitted only by permission. A public place, as defined in section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, would appear not to include most military installations. The Curragh Camp, however, is not enclosed by any perimeter fence or wall and members of the public regularly enter the camp for social, domestic or business purposes.
The primary responsibility for security within the Curragh Camp rests with the general commanding officer and the Military Police unit is tasked to ensure security. The Military Police have limited powers of arrest under section 268 of the Defence Act, 1954, as amended. These powers of arrest are exercised from time to time with regard to persons present in the Curragh Camp without authority, and such persons are then handed over to the Garda Síochána to be dealt with by the civil courts.
Following an incident in the Curragh Camp on 26 September 2000, during which a number of Military Police personnel were subjected to a serious assault, I am advised by the military authorities that additional security measures have been put in place to support the Military Police in the camp in the performance of their duties when required.
The military authorities liaise constantly with the Garda in Newbridge and Kildare on incidents involving unruly or criminal activities in the Curragh Camp.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Is the Minister referring to visitors to the Curragh Camp, with no immediate connection to it, or families who currently reside in marital quarters or in Orchard Park? There are problems in the Curragh Camp concerning the public. This is where the narrow line lies between defining who looks after the camp. Who is the Garda responsible for and do the military authorities only look after persons resident in the camp?
That is the narrow line about which there seems to be a problem. I talked to personnel in the camp and there seems to be a problem there that needs to be cleared up. The Minister is aware of the major work being done in the Curragh and this is only one of the problems that has arisen. If the problem could be cleared up, it would be to the benefit of everyone concerned.
As the Deputy is aware, the role of the Military Police by and large is to deal with the personnel within the camp. Its members have limited powers of arrest of people outside that group and in such circumstances they would always seek the support of the Garda. I am, however, informed that that there has been a fairly significant improvement in the position in recent times since they have stepped up the security procedures. In the case of one individual, the court case has taken place and the individual has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment. Two others are awaiting trial which will take place in the next few months. There were more recent cases where suspended sentences were given. A consequence of the incidents that took place is that the overall security situation has improved and, fairly importantly, the culprits have been brought to justice.
Having talked to some of the residents, I would appreciate if an increase in the involvement of the Garda, the Department and the Defence Forces in security there could be initiated. That needs to be ongoing. As the Minister has said many times here regarding the development there, we must make sure that the community is also involved rather than only ensuring that the armed forces get better facilities. We must link the two. I ask the Minister through his good offices to ensure every effort is made to align the involvement of the Garda and the military authorities.
I will undertake to ensure a meeting takes place with representatives of the Garda Síochána, the commanding officer and the local community. It is important to maintain the best possible security. For the greater part everyone who lives there, works there or comes there does not do any harm to anyone. We are talking about a small number of people.
Absolutely.
It is important to deal that problem and to work together to solve it.
