Skip to main content
Normal View

Crime Levels.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004

Wednesday, 8 December 2004

Questions (30)

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

30 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to deal with the significant increase in gun crime and rape recorded in the annual report of the Garda Commissioner for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32494/04]

View answer

Written answers

The annual report of the Garda Commissioner for 2003 showed a decrease in the overall offence rate of 3% for headline crime when compared with the figures for 2002. In particular, the offence of a rape of a female reduced by 24% and sexual offences overall showed a decrease of 22% when compared with the figures for 2002. The headline crime offences of possession of firearms and discharge of firearms also showed a decrease of 4% and 10% respectively over the previous year. In addition, the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries also decreased by 14% over the previous year.

I am conscious of the overriding necessity to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in any review of policy and legislation relating to firearms. With this in mind I have decided to bring forward, at an early stage, certain proposals for inclusion in the Criminal Justice Bill 2004. In this context, I am looking at a number of proposals, including more severe penalties for firearms offences, set minimum sentences for the most serious offences, the introduction of a new offence of modification of a firearm, for example, the sawing off of a shotgun and a statutory basis for a period during which firearms may be surrendered to the Garda Síochána. If approved by Government, I hope to see such proposals being brought forward as amendments to the Bill on Committee Stage.

In recent years, the Department has funded a number of awareness raising campaigns relating to rape and sexual assault which were conducted by the national steering committee on violence against women. In addition, as a preventative measure, the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform has provided funding to a number of rape crisis centres to deliver a training programme in schools in their locality.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has recently provided joint funding for comprehensive research into attrition rates in rape cases. The research, which is entitled "The Understanding of Attrition, Early Withdrawal, the Trial Process and Identifying Possible Changes to Support Complainants in Rape Cases", is being carried out by the department of law at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. This research should give us greater understanding as to why some victims choose not to report cases to the gardaí, what we can do about under reporting and why, of the cases that are reported, only a relatively small percentage result in a court hearing.

Top
Share