asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the growing concern amongst residents and business people in Crumlin village, Dublin, at the large numbers of incidents of burglary, breaking and entering and other crimes in that area and at the apparent weakness of local Garda strength which is unable to provide adequate protection; if better steps will be taken to strengthen the numbers and effectiveness of the local Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crumlin (Dublin) Offences.
28.
In the first six months of this year, the number of indictable crimes in Crumlin village, as known to the Garda, was 14 of which 11 were housebreaking and the like. Detections have already been made in ten out of the 14 cases, including seven of the 11 house breakings.
While these offences are, of course, of serious concern to the people affected and the people of the locality generally, the figures are insufficient to allow a valid statistical comparison to be made with earlier years or to speak with any confidence about the detection rate though, taking the figures at their face value, the detection rate is over 70 per cent which is very high for an urban area like this. However, it is an unfortunate fact that crime generally is on the increase and I would not wish to gloss over that.
Crumlin is a Garda district headquarters and its strength was increased by one sergeant and three gardaí on 25th March last. At present, a general review of the deployment of the available manpower is being pushed forward with all possible speed and every effort is being made to utilise the resources of men and equipment to the best possible advantage.
I wonder would the Minister agree that the concentration should be on prevention rather than detention? In the Minister's reply he appeared to be declaring a certain degree of pride at the rate of detection. Does the Minister agree that prevention is more important? Is he aware that, in this vicinity, apart from the substantial and worrying damage caused to the business people in Crumlin village, a considerable amount of terror and upset is caused to a large number of elderly people who dwell in chalets? There are some hundreds of chalets on a site at this location. The Garda have indicated that they have their existing resources stretched to the limit in providing the minimum of protection but they are unable to provide the protection required at this chalet site between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. every night because their resources are used fully elsewhere in the area. Will the Minister have a look at the possibility of increasing the Garda resources particularly during those hours?
There was a recent increase in the number of gardaí stationed in this area. It is my general policy to continue as far as possible to increase the numbers of gardaí available in areas such as this.
I should like to assure the Minister that the local people are extremely grateful to the Garda and know they are doing a very good job to the best of their ability with the resources available to them.
I am glad to hear that.
Can the Minister tell me the number of gardaí and sergeants in that area—the total number in that barracks?
I have the information but I am not certain that I should give it as a matter of policy.
I could find it out by going to the barracks.
I think it is not wise to give the information specifically. I could give it on a more general basis. In the interest of the prevention of crime I am not anxious to give this specific information.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 29.
I can ask at the barracks and I will get that information. Is the Minister aware that this barracks is in charge of an area bigger than Limerick city? I want to tell him here and now that the police force there is not 50 per cent of the police force in Limerick city. There are more people in that area than there are in Limerick city and the Garda are under strength there.
There are 2,360 gardaí in the city of Dublin, all of whom are available to be sent to any part of the metropolitan area in emergencies.
Is the Minister joking?
Is the Minister aware that a garda will not leave his own area? A year ago I called the attention of a garda to a crime that was being committed and he refused to leave his beat. He told me he could not leave.
That does not arise on Question No. 28.
He said he could not leave the area without authority. That is true.