Vol. 538 No. 5
39 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position of the Garda and the Army in relation to public order offences committed within Army camps; if it is the Garda or the Army who have responsibility for dealing with such offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18330/01]
As I indicated to the House earlier today in reply to Priority Question No. 2, I am advised by the military authorities that they liaise as necessary with An 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 officer commanding 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 in relation to persons present in the Curragh Camp without authority, and such persons are then handed over to An 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 maintain constant liaison with the Garda in Newbridge and Kildare on incidents involving unruly or criminal elements in the Curragh Camp.
