asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the large number of cars being stolen each week in Cork city and county; and the steps he proposes to take to rectify the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Car Thefts.
15.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that during the the past three months an average of 16 cars a week have been taken without the owners' consent in Cork city and county. On average, 15 of these are recovered.
The Garda say that they are taking all reasonable steps to prevent this type of offence and that there has been no noticeable deterioration in the position in recent times, either as regards numbers of vehicles taken or as regards numbers recovered. For instance, the number taken in December last, while higher than in December, 1976, was lower than in December, 1975. Most such incidents are in fact the work of young people returning from functions such as dances who take the cars to get themselves home and then abandon them. Car owners can greatly help to reduce such incidents by the use of steering locks, burglar alarms or other suitable devices.
Would the Minister consider the possibility of introducing legislation that would make it compulsory for steering locks to be fitted on all new cars?
Such a step might not be necessary if the normal precaution of locking one's car were put into operation, but if it should be found that this precaution was not helping in the situation, I would be prepared to examine the proposal put forward by Deputy O'Keeffe.