Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
478. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of court convictions in each of the last five years for assaults on front-line staff including those in healthcare employments, An Garda Síochána, fire services and prison services; the number of those convicted who received prison sentences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54335/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it is not possible to provide most of the information sought by the Deputy as, for reporting purposes, it is not possible to differentiate between occupations or employment types of individuals assaulted.
The Courts Service has advised that the primary statutory provisions in relation to assault are contained in Section 2 (minor assault), Section 3 (assault causing harm), Section 4 (assault causing serious harm) and Section 18 (assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and that most prosecutions for assault on individuals regardless of occupation, fall within the aforementioned sections.
The Courts Service has also advised that the following offences are specifically recorded in relation to members of An Garda Síochána:
- Assault with intent to resist lawful apprehension;
- Assault on a Peace Officer.
The following table provides details of convictions in respect of these two offences. However, most assaults against members of An Garda Síochána are prosecuted under Sections 2, 3, 4 and 18 of the aforementioned Act and consequently it is not possible to identify those assaulted persons who were members of An Garda Síochana.
Report on the number of convictions in the District Court from 1 January 2013 to 30 November 2017 for assault on a Peace Officer and assault with intent to resist lawful apprehension. Please note that data for December 2017 is not yet available.
|
- |
Conviction Orders in 2013 |
Defendants in 2013 |
Conviction Orders in 2014 |
Defendants in 2014 |
Conviction Orders in 2015 |
Defendants in 2015 |
Conviction Orders in 2016 |
Defendants in 2016 |
Conviction Orders Jan - Nov 2017 |
Defendants Jan - Nov 2017 |
|
Fine |
2 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Community Service Order |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Imprisonment/ Detention |
7 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
|
Imprisonment/ Detention Part Suspended |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Imprisonment/ Detention Suspended |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Peace Bond |
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
18 |
17 |
12 |
10 |
11 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
Note: If a Defendant received more than one Order, they will appear more than once on the report under Orders.
