Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - Violent Street Crime.

Mr. Rabbitte:

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this tragic event. The fatal stabbing near his home of a law abiding Dublin teenager has deeply disturbed a public almost inured to wanton acts of violence. People everywhere are acutely concerned that elements in our society have become so depraved that a respectable law abiding youth can lose his life in a casual but vicious assault motivated, it is suggested, by the robbery of his watch and mobile phone.

A young person of good character, innocently walking home after saying "goodnight" to his girlfriend, is set upon and fatally stabbed at the relatively early hour of 11.10 p.m. What kind of society have we become?

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may reasonably say that neither he nor his Government nor the Garda Síochána can be expected to have been able to intervene to prevent this young man's death. However, this Government and its predecessor have complacently presided over a more violent society where the cheapening of human life is a regular experience.

Within a half an hour of doctors at Beaumont Hospital failing to save Alan Higgins's life, another unlawful killing took place a few miles across the city. These two were only the latest casualties of a violent culture that seems to have transfixed the Minister and the Government.

The terrible loss of young life, and the unimaginable grief visited on parents and loved ones, prevents one tonight from dwelling on the sick joke of zero tolerance touted for political advantage only by the Minister's predecessor. What practical measures are promised by the new Minister?

The casual wanton regular violence on our streets is a symptom of a sick and divided society where either the law or its enforcement, or both, is inadequate. If the alienation of sections of our youth from normal society is reflected in the casual unlawful killing of a neighbouring teenager, then the challenge facing Government goes beyond renovation of the criminal law. The safety of our citizens, young and old, is the primary responsibility of Government and the Garda's own figures highlight the extent of failure we are now experiencing.

The coarsening of life in huge tracts of urban Ireland is being ignored by a comfortable political elite which is either unwilling or unable to grasp the extent of youth alienation in many areas. A Government that sought to spend almost €1,000 million for an elite sports campus at Abbottstown, when a fraction of that money is spent in working class communities to provide youth and sports facilities, is badly out of touch.

This wasteful inexcusable destruction of a young life is a tragedy for everyone involved and for our society. I look forward to hearing the Minister's reply.

Mr. M. Ahern:

In the first instance, I wish to extend very sincere sympathy on behalf of the Government and on my own behalf to the family of Alan Higgins who so tragically lost his life in the early hours of Sunday morning and also to the families of other recent victims of similar crimes. The circumstances of their deaths can only add to the grief of losing one so young. In the case of the most recent victim, I am aware that three youths appeared in the District Children's Court today on charges in relation to the matter. The House will appreciate, in these circumstances, that I am limited as to what I can say about any individual case.

I thank Deputy Rabbitte for raising this matter for debate. The Government is very concerned at the recent fatal stabbings of young persons in our towns and cities. The serious nature of these offences, which are often committed by young people, underline the continued need for robust responses to offending behaviour and the need to readily adapt to changing levels and patterns of crime.

The Deputy will be aware that the programme for Government sets out a number of commitments which will assist the Garda authorities in dealing with crime of this nature, in addition to existing legislative provisions. The Government recognises that in-depth analysis of the underlying causes of crime is required as well as priority action to deal with particular issues. The Government's response is multifaceted and the programme for Government includes proposals in relation to innovative public order legislation, targeted Garda operations, a strict enforcement of the liquor licensing laws, an extension of the use of closed-circuit television systems and an increase in Garda numbers by 2000, which will be targeted to benefit those areas of greatest need.

The Government also recognises that it must continue to address a wide range of societal issues, some of which are outside the remit of the criminal justice system, which contribute to causing crime. In the criminal justice system, it will ensure that all aspects of the criminal law, whether in relation to substantive offences, the law on evidence, powers of investigation or otherwise, are adequate to combat crime and protect the public. The Minister is examining, as a priority, the need for additional measures in this regard.

To address concerns about public order, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has re-introduced the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 2002. This Bill, when enacted, will give the Garda significant additional powers to assist them in dealing with drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The purpose of the Bill is to augment the law so as to tackle the problem of drink-related late night disturbance and the growing problem of late night street violence which has its origins in or outside licensed premises and fast food outlets in urban areas. It applies to pubs, off-licences, discos, night clubs, dance venues of all types, amusement arcades, chip shops, take-aways and mobile food vehicles. Existing Garda powers in this area will be strengthened and it will extend the sanctions which may be imposed on offenders under the Public Order Act, 1994. In addition to this legislative response, the National Crime Council is conducting research on public order and its findings are due to be published in early 2003.

The Garda authorities also have a range of powers under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. This Act contains a number of controls regarding the availability and possession of knives, offensive weapons and other articles. Obviously, this legislation recognises that there are various purposes for the possession of knives and only penalises in cases where they are carried for no good reason. The Garda's Operation Encounter which was introduced in February of this year continues to focus on all issues of public order in the community. Particular attention is paid to night clubs, fast food outlets and other venues at which large numbers of people congregate and where there is potential for disorder. The target hours of the operation will be determined locally, based on the specific circumstances prevailing at each location. Particular attention is being paid to ensuring that the owners and managers of such premises are fully aware of their responsibilities and of the duty of care they owe to their patrons and other members of the public. The operation has increased the number of gardaí available to target locations where public order and assault offences are likely to be committed. Changes in policing practice, including Operation Encounter, are constantly monitored and reviewed to ensure the most effective outcome is obtained from the deployment of Garda resources.

The Government will continue to focus on youth crime by supporting and developing evidence-based preventative measures and interventions aimed at young offenders and those most at risk of offending by implementing the outstanding relevant provisions of the Children Act, 2001; continuing to support and strengthen the network of Garda youth diversion projects which increased in number from 12 in 1997 to 64 currently; and supporting enforcement of the liquor licensing laws, with particular reference to provisions relating to the mandatory temporary closure of pubs and off-licences where convictions for allowing under-age drinking have been obtained.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.10 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 16 October 2002.