Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 4

Written Answers. - County Meath Garda Stations.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

45 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice the hours which the following Garda stations in County Meath are open: (1) Ashbourne, (2) Dunshaughlin, (3) Dunboyne, (4) Duleek, (5) Laytown; the number of Gardaí assigned to each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

46 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of reported crimes in County Meath in each of the last three years; the location by Garda district where these crimes were reported; if he has any plans to increase the number of Gardaí in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.

The opening hours of the stations referred to are designed to strike an appropriate balance between the provision of the necessary indoor office service and the outdoor parol duties which are central to the prevention and detection of crime. The current Garda strength at these stations is the same as at the end of 1987.

I am satisfied that the Garda authorities are keeping the crime problem in Meath, as elsewhere, under continuing review and can be relied upon to do whatever is necessary to tackle it. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have in fact taken a number of specific measures to deal with the situation in the county. These include the deployment of mobile patrols, the recent allocation of additional patrol cars to Athboy and Dunshaughlin and the setting up of a crime-prevention patrol for the Louth/Meath Division.

The Garda authorities inform me that the manpower and operational arrangements in Meath are being kept under review and that further measures will be taken as considered necessary.

Table I

Station	Opening Hours	Garda strength
Ashbourne	Weekdays:
10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Sundays:
10.00 am to 1.00 pm	11
Dunshaughlin	Weekdays:
10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Sundays:
12.00 noon to 1.00 pm	5
Dunboyne	same	6
Laytown	same	4
Duleek	7 days:	3
10.00 am to 1.00 pm

Table II

Recorded indictable crime by Garda Districts* in County Meath

District	1987	1988	1989
Drogheda	91	84	94
Kells	217	191	319
Trim	298	256	362
Navan	752	612	708
Balbriggan	130	98	135
Total	1,488	1,241	1,618

* Figures relate only to those parts of the Garda Districts which are in County Meath.