Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Public Order Offences.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

406 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of public order offences in County Donegal in the years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and to date in 2001; the percentage of these which were committed by people from outside this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25042/01]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1984 where proceedings were commenced are as set out in the following table. The statistics supplied are for years 1997 to 1999 and for the Garda division of Donegal. Statistics for year 2000 and to date in 2001 have not been published and are not yet available.

Public Order Offences (proceedings commenced) Donegal Division

	1997	1998	1999
Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994
Intoxication in a public place – Section 4	300	328	373
Disorderly conduct in public place – Section 5	127	94	115
Threatening or abusive or insulting behaviour – Section 6	491	526	394
Failing to comply with directions of Garda – Section 8	145	128	119
Entering building with intent to commit offence – Section 11	9	6	4
Control of access to special events – Section 21	0	1	0
Surrender and seizure of intoxicating Liquor – Section 22	0	0	0
Other offences	145	69	40
Total	1,217	1,152	1,045

I am further informed that the majority of the public order offences are associated with persons attending and leaving late entertainment centres. It is estimated that as many as 25% of patrons are from Northern Ireland, but I understand that the Garda authorities do not consider that there is any substantial difference between their behaviour and local patrons. The Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources are deployed to meet the requirements in this area.