Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 2

Written Answers. - Probation Act.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

149 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of convictions taken under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, in each of the past two years; the number of such cases in respect of which the Probation Act was applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6219/02]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table details the convictions for offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 for the years 1999 and 2000. Statistics for the year 2001 have not yet been published.

	Convictions
Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994	1999	2000
Intoxication in a public place – Section 4	8,218	9,836
Disorderly conduct in a public place – Section 5	1,877	1,795

	Convictions
Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994	1999	2000
Threatening or insulting behaviour – Section 6	7,861	9,663
Failing to comply with directions of Gardaí – Section 8	2,880	3,164
Entering building with intent to commit offence – Section 11	675	684
Control of access to special events – Section 21	2	3
Surrender and seizure of intoxicating liquor – Section 22	19	20
Other offences	1,101	830

I am also informed that the number of cases in which the Probation Act was applied is not readily available, and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug related offences in respect of which prosecutions have been taken in each of the past two years; the number of convictions in the same period; the number of cases in respect of which the Probation Act was applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6220/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug related prosecutions taken by the Garda in each of the past three years; the number of convictions arising therefrom; the number of cases in which the Probation Act was applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6223/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 153 together.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the number of drugs offences where proceedings commenced and the number of convictions for the years 1998-2000 were as set out below:

Year	ProceedingsCommenced	Convictions
1998	5,631	3,656
1999	7,137	4,232
2000	8,395	3,656

I also wish to advise the Deputy that information in relation to the number of cases in which the Probation Act was applied is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda resources.