Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2004
199 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent rise in anti-social behaviour in the Dublin 10 area, in particular the rise in joy-riding and car theft; and the actions being taken to address the concerns of local residents. [5445/04]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of unauthorised taking of vehicle offences in the Ballyfermot area has decreased from 259 in 2002 to 239 in 2003. The figure for 2003 is provisional and subject to a validation process.
I understand the Garda authorities have put a number of measures in place to control the unauthorised taking of vehicles . A public order patrol is in operation in the area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. These patrols operate in areas targeted by the Gardaí as susceptible to car related crime. These patrols are backed up by the divisional crime taskforce and traffic units.
In addition the Deputy may be aware there are three Garda youth diversion projects in operation in the Ballyfermot area. These projects are specifically directed at diverting young people away from crime including car theft and so called joy-riding.
