asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to a recent report (details supplied) concerning serious disorder in Clonmel, County Tipperary; the Garda strength in the town and how this compares with towns of similar populations; the number of gardaí on duty in the town when this incident broke out and how they were deployed, and whether any of them suffered personal injury in their endeavours to restore order; the steps he now proposes to take to prevent similar incidents in the future; whether he will allocate additional Garda personnel to Clonmel town; and if, in order to allay fears and public apprehension, he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Disorder.
3.
I have seen the newspaper report referred to and I have had a report in the matter from the Garda authorities.
While I do not wish to minimise what took place on the occasion in question it is clear that the particular newspaper report referred to, in contrast to local newspaper reports, was an exaggeration. The Garda account is that there were scuffles involving a number of youths who were refused admission to a dance, that a large crowd gathered and that this made the fracas appear more widespread than it was. The actual brawling lasted about half an hour, although it was another hour and a half before the crowd fully dispersed. I am glad to say that no member of the Garda Síochána received personal injuries during the incident. Five civilians received minor injuries.
It would be contrary to established practice to give details of the number of gardaí that were on duty on the occasion or how they were deployed.
The present strength of the station party in Clonmel is 31, an extra garda having been assigned there on 6 January last, and I understand that the strength will be further increased during the coming weeks. The ratio of gardaí to population in the Clonmel sub-district is roughly in line with the ratio obtaining in other sub-districts in which a town of similar population to Clonmel is located.
I am informed that, except for the weekend during which the incident mentioned occurred, extra foot patrols have been operating at weekends in Clonmel over the past few months and that it is intended that these will continue. I would like to assure the Deputy that the Garda will continue to give as much attention as practicable to the Clonmel area having regard to other demands on Garda resources and that the policing situation there will be kept under review.