(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Justice if he agrees that local authorities and owners of private dwellings should have the assistance of the Garda Síochána in removing squatters without undue delay from premises they occupy illegally rather than having to tolerate the present situation where it takes a long period of time to obtain court orders.
Written Answers. - Removal of Squatters.
14.
Limerick East): As a general proposition, the Garda Síochána have no legal authority to act in the manner suggested in the question. The law does allow the Garda Síochána to arrest persons in certain circumstances where an offence appears to have been committed under the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation Act, 1971 and of course they are prepared to intervene, as appropriate, in those exceptional cases.