Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 2

Written Answers. - Crime Statistics.

Ulick Burke

Question:

143 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders committed in County Galway in each of the years, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000; if all the cases have been satisfactorily resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30138/01]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that crime statistics are compiled on the basis of Garda operational areas, which do not always coincide with county boundaries. County Galway is divided into the divisions of Galway west and Roscommon-Galway east. The number of murders recorded and detected to date for these two divisions for the years 1995-2000 are as set out in the following table:

Year	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
Galway West	Rec: 0Det: 0	Rec: 1Det: 1	Rec: 3Det: 2	Rec: 1Det: 1	Rec: 0Det: 0	Rec: 0Det: 0
Roscommon-Galway East	Rec: 0Det: 0	Rec: 0Det: 0	Rec: 3Det: 2	Rec: 0Det: 0	Rec: 0Det: 0	Rec: 1Det: 1

Statistics for the year 2000 are provisional, and subject to change.

I assure the Deputy that all files on unlawful deaths remain open and are the subject of investigation until there is a conclusion to the case and that each case is kept under continuous review. The investigation of these crimes is undertaken by divisional and district officers, and all the necessary technical services are available to these investigations. The national units, such as the Garda national bureau of criminal investigation and the national drugs unit are available to assist where necessary. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that adequate measures and resources are in place to investigate these serious crimes.