asked the Minister for Justice if there has been an increase in the murder rate in Dublin since March, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Murder Rate.
138.
If the Deputy means have more murders been committed in the period from 1st March, 1973, to 31st January, 1974, than in the corresponding period in the previous year, the answer is "yes". The figures are 16 and five respectively.
Can the Minister give any explanation why this should be so?
I cannot. The Garda are unable to attribute the increase in the number of murders to any particular cause. As far as they are concerned murders are classed as a non-preventable crime. The figures of 16 and five may not turn out to be murders at the end of the trials, some of the charges may be reduced to manslaughter.
They would not be caused by frustration waiting for the Coalition to fill their promises?
The Deputy is hard put to make a joke.