Written Answers. - Durrus (Cork) Garda Strength.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
97
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Justice
if her attention has been drawn to concerns being expressed by the Durrus Community Association in County Cork at the fact that Durrus Garda Station which in the recent past was serviced by a sergeant and two gardaí; if she will approve the necessary funding to bring the living quarters at the Garda station up to standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I can confirm that I have received correspondence from Durrus Community Association on this matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda manpower to individual areas, that the current manpower at Durrus station is one garda. This has been the position since 1985, when the sergeant retired. Records for the previous ten years show that the strength has been one sergeant and one garda which would seem to be at variance with the figures provided in the question. The crime statistics for the area were 15 in each of the years 1992 and 1993. There has been one crime reported in the subDistrict to date in 1994. The divisional officer is satisfied that the current policing arrangements for the Durrus area are adequate and would not warrant the allocation of additional manpower. Assistance from mobile patrols attached to Bantry and Schull Garda stations is available if and when required.
The Garda authorities inform me that the living quarters in the station are not in a habitable condition. Work to the value of almost £20,000 was carried out on the station last year. However, no married garda within the division has indicated a willingness to occupy the married quarters at the station, even if the accommodation was further upgraded. The Garda authorities cannot compel a member to reside in the official accommodation attached to a Garda station. In the event of a garda undertaking to occupy the official accommodation at Durrus, consideration will be given to carrying out the necessary renovation work to bring the living quarters up to standard. In the absence of such an undertaking, it is not proposed to expend public finances on renovation works on the married quarters.
Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:
98
Ms O'Donnell
asked the
Minister for Justice
the specific initiatives, by way of police manpower, she has taken in relation to the policing of O'Connell Street, Dublin I and the areas around O'Connell Street in view of the incidence of petty crime and muggings with particular reference to criminal acts which occur during the hours of daylight; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Generally speaking, the Deputy will be aware that since I took up office as Minister for Justice, I have taken a keen interest in what happens in the premier thoroughfare of our capital city. I pass through O'Connell Street regularly at various times during the day and night and I see at first hand how the gardaí are dealing with the policing situation there. I also have regular contacts with the Commissioner and his senior officers, in particular, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Dublin Metropolitan Area about policing initiatives in the area.
As a result of these contacts, a Garda Inspector was appointed to Store Street station earlier last year with special responsbility for policing arrangements in O'Connell Street. In addition, Garda strength at that station has increased from 195 in 1992 to 210 at present. Tactical measures which have been taken include the establishment of special beats on O'Connell Street which ensure that there are six gardaí detailed for duty there between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. each day. The Garda Office in the street is open from 9.15 a.m. to 12 midnight seven days a week.
Furthermore, O'Connell Street and its environs are regularly patrolled by both foot and mobile patrols from both the detective and crime unit at Store Street station, as well as by the divisional task force and drug units. Some of these officers operate in plain clothes to combat crimes such as assaults, handbag snatches, pickpocketing etc.
Last year, I delivered on an earlier commitment to bring a video surveillance mobile unit into operation and it has been on continuous duty in O'Connell Street since September 1993 to great effect. The experience gained through the use of this technology will be of assistance in considering the extent of the fixed CCTV system which is planned for the area and which I announced last December as part of my programme to tackle crime.
As the Deputy will also be aware, I piloted the Public Order Bill through the Oireachtas recently and its provisions are now in effect. I would see the provisions of that Act being of immense benefit to the gardaí in areas such as O'Connell Street to deal with incidents of crime of this nature.
The local divisional officer has regular meetings with the Dublin City Centre Business Association and with individual business people in the area. Action has been taken against night club operators and this has resulted in better management and control of these premises.
The gardaí are satisfied that there has been a significant improvement in the policing arrangements for O'Connell Street and that the Garda manpower committed to the area is sufficient to ensure that people can go about their lawful business secure in the knowledge that the area is safe. I am concerned to ensure that this improvement is maintained and both I and the Garda Commissioner will be paying particular attention to the city centre in the coming months now that the tourist season is almost upon us.
