Darren O'Rourke
Question:
844. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of penal warrants that are outstanding in the Meath Garda division as of 31 October 2023; and the number of penal warrants that have been outstanding for a period of more than 12 months. [48330/23]
View answer
It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 844 of 7 November 2023 where you sought: “The number of penal warrants that are outstanding in the Meath Garda division as of 31 October 2023; and the number of penal warrants that have been outstanding for a period of more than 12 months.”
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the execution of warrants. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
As you will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants are a long-standing issue for many police services around the world, notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement. These difficulties are compounded where the warrant has been outstanding for some years.
However, I am assured that An Garda Síochána executes warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 388 penal warrants were executed nationally within the last 12 months. I am further advised that fewer than 10 penal warrants were issued in the Meath Division.
I am informed that the table below shows counts of outstanding penal warrants in the Meath Division on the 31 October 2023.
|
Meath Division
|
Warrant Type
|
Outstanding
|
12 Months or Older
|
|
Total
|
Penal Warrant
|
180
|
180
|
Figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 1:30am on the 6 November 2023. They are operational and may be liable to change.
I trust this information is of assistance.
