Vol. 459 No. 8
122 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if she will request the Garda to provide a local foot patrol in the area of Lower Gardiner Street Flats, Dublin 1, where there have been a number of break-ins and attacks on elderly people; and if she will ensure that the community gardaí pay particular attention to this area. [19076/95]
I am informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel to different areas that the area of Lower Gardiner Street and Sean McDermott Street has two uniformed members specifically assigned to patrolling the area on foot. They have a very good relationship with the residents of both streets and play a major role in the prevention and detection of various types of crime in the area.
In addition to these two gardaí there is one sergeant and six gardaí attached to the Store Street and Fitzgibbon Street Garda stations specifically assigned to foot patrols in the general locality of Lower Gardiner Street. The area is also patrolled by regular foot and mobile units from Store Street, Fitzgibbon Street and Harcourt Square.
Every garda, in the course of his or her duty, recognises that elderly people may feel particularly vulnerable and suffer greatly from the fear of becoming a vicitim of crime. With this recognition in mind, the Garda authorities have assured me that the gardaí pay particular attention to the elderly in all respects of their duties.
