Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
426. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on Garda Operation Táirge; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; if this operation is still active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2498/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Operation TÁIRGE is an active operation, launched on 11 December 2023 by Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman at Water Scott House, with the attendance of myself, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond T.D. and Mr. Arnold Dillon, Director of Retail Ireland.
Operation TÁIRGE is part of An Garda Síochána’s Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy. This Strategy aims to reduce the detrimental impact retail crime and criminals can have on retail businesses, and also seeks to support operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing retail theft.
Under Operation TÁIRGE, An Garda Síochána are working on reducing organised retail crime (ORC) by:
- Using an intelligence-led approach to identify criminals engaging in retail crime.
- Disrupting the most prolific groups in operation through the use of organised crime and proceeds of crime legislation.
- Working with retailers to strengthen their security and prevent them from becoming victims of this criminality.
- Supporting those working in retail to report a crime.
- Identifying and targeting the areas where organised retail crime black markets operate, and their leadership.
- Working with high risk retailers to enhance prevention, investigation and prosecution.
- Deterring people from becoming involved in organised retail crime by raising awareness of the consequences of committing such offences.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as this Operation is still in its early stages, the collation of data is underway, but is not sufficiently advanced or quality assured to enable it to be shared at this time.
