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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Paramilitary Activities.

John Bruton

Question:

427 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) to the effect that paramilitaries in the vicinity of Hackballscross, County Louth, intimidated employees of a company (details supplied) seeking to erect a mobile phone mast; his views on whether new Garda powers and new legal arrangements should be made to prevent this in the interest of Ireland's international business regulations; and if he will make a statement on paramilitary activity generally in this jurisdiction. [8450/02]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations are ongoing into a reported incident of intimidation of five persons at Rassan, Hackballscross, County Louth on 30 May 2001. It would not be appropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is in progress.

In relation to Garda powers in such cases, the statutory offence of ‘coercion' was created by section 9 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. The offence arises where, with a view to compel another from doing or to do any act which that other has a lawful right to do or abstain from doing, a person uses violence or intimidates that other person or a member of the family of the other person. This offence carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years on conviction on indictment.

The Garda Síochána have informed me that they consider this legislation sufficient to deal with such cases. Any cases of paramilitary activity which are brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána are fully investigated.

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