Vol. 463 No. 3
292 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the number of fires in a terrace of five houses (details supplied) in Dublin 7 during the past 12 months; the number of arson attacks on these houses during the same period; whether threatening phone calls have been made to elderly residents; if criminal/drug elements are attempting to force the residents out in order to acquire the properties; and the action, if any, the Garda are taking in this regard. [6251/96]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, within the last 12 months, there have been five fires at the location in question which appears to have been started maliciously. One warning telephone call has been received by a resident relating to the fires. While there is no evidence to suggest that criminal elements are attempting to force residents out, the circumstances generally in relation to these houses are rather unusual and the possible motives for these fires are therefore being addressed in the Garda investigation of the incidents.
