Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 1990

Vol. 402 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dublin Policing Arrangements.

Chris Flood

Ceist:

203 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the residents of Limekiln Farm, Greenhills, and Greenpark, Dublin 12 at the unacceptably high level of crime, vandalism and under-age drinking in these areas; if he will take appropriate steps to ensure that additional Garda resources are made available to carry out increased foot patrols with particular reference to an expanded role for community policing in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mervyn Taylor

Ceist:

204 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern in the Greenhills-Limekiln-Greenpark areas of Walkinstown, Dublin 12 regarding increasing incidents of vandalism, under-age drinking, assaults and malicious damage; his views on whether the resources available to the Crumlin division of the Garda are totally inadequate to cope with this escalation of lawlessness; if he will confirm that additional resources will be provided to this division including the provision of community policing; and if he will make a statement indicating his proposals generally in the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of persons are at present before the courts in respect of recent crimes which gave rise to concern among residents of the areas in question. These areas are currently receiving special attention from uniformed and plainclothes Garda patrols from Crumlin station and a garda has been assigned to local community policing duties in order to improve liaison with community-based groups. Further improvements in the policing arrangements for Limekiln Farm, Greenhills, Greenpark and other areas served from Crumlin station will be effected next month on the assignment of additional gardaí to Crumlin from the next group of gardaí who are due to complete their training in Templemore.

The gardaí in Crumlin are well aware of local concerns about under-age drinking and are actively involved in a local initiative launched on 1 October 1990 which provides for the issue of identity cards to young people. The gardaí will be keeping all aspects of this initiative under continuing review over the coming months with a view to evaluating its contribution to tackling the problem of under-age drinking.