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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1976

Vol. 289 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Crime Statistics.

30.

andMr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the total number of robberies, holdups, house-breakings and burglaries in Limerick city and county over the past three years (b) the total value of everything taken (c) the total amount recovered and (d) the total number of successful prosecutions arising out of these cases.

The total number of robberies, holdups, house-breakings and burglaries in Limerick city and county reported or known to the Garda during the period from 1st October, 1972 to 15th March, 1976 was 2,257. The total value of property taken was £272,364 and the total value of property recovered was £41,964.

In accordance with standard Garda procedure which I understand is similar to that in other police forces, any case in which there is enough evidence to bring a prosecution is treated as a detection or a crime that has been cleared up. Separate statistics of detections have not been compiled in relation to the particular categories of offences mentioned in the question but the detection rate for all indictable offences in the Garda Division of Limerick in 1974 was 64.4 per cent and this is the latest available figure. I may add that a more detailed break-down of crime statistics is now being provided for and will be reflected in the crime report for the current year when it is published in due course.

Apart from those members involved in security operations such as Limerick Prison and the Special Branch, can the Minister tell us what is the total number of gardaí in Limerick city and county?

That is a separate question but I am sure that if the Deputy seeks the information again by tabling a specific question, my colleague would be delighted to answer him.

Since there have been 2,257 incidents of crime in the area in a 12-month period, is the Minister satisfied that there are sufficient gardaí to combat this crime? Is he aware that a petition signed by 5,000 people in Limerick city has been sent to his Department demanding extra policing? What steps are proposed to deal with the situation?

I suppose everybody would wish for a 100 per cent rate of detection but the figure I have given in this regard indicates creditable activity on the part of the Garda.

I would not consider the recovery of £41,000 out of a total of £272,000 to be something to boast of but if this is the attitude, the Government and the Minister can boast of law and order in Limerick city and county if they so wish.

I refer to all categories of indictable offences in respect of which there was a detection rate of 64.4 per cent.

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