Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 3

Written Answers. - Perpetrators of Ram-Raids.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

37 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to introduce appropriate amendments to legislation and regulations to assist the Garda in dealing with the perpetrators of ram-raids that have occurred with increasing frequency in the Dublin area in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13775/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I should say at the outset that so called "ram-raids", and I take it that by this term the Deputy is referring to incidents where criminals use high-powered motor vehicles to break down and smash the shutters and windows of premises, are committed more frequently outside the Dublin Metropolitan Area than within it. However, experience has shown that the perpetrators of such crimes are usually from Dublin and the vehicles used in the raids are stolen there. It should also be borne in mind that in many incidents, criminals travel to and from scenes of crime in stolen vehicles but do not actually use the vehicles to force entry onto the premises concerned.

In order to deal with such incidents, the gardaí have introduced random special patrols on primary and secondary roads used by the criminals. In addition, intelligence gathering concerning the activities of persons suspected of involvement in such incidents has been enhanced and this is yielding positive results. Furthermore, many Garda mobile units in the Dublin Metropolitan Area Divisions which adjoin the "country" divisions are equipped with national emergency radio sets which permit direct communication with patrol cars from outside Dublin. This is also proving to be of benefit in combating crimes of this nature.

The legislation under which the gardaí operate is kept under continuous review and any necessary changes will be considered.