Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Limerick Garda Barracks.

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

259 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to reopen the Garda barracks at Edward Street, Limerick in view of the upsurge in crime in this area; if not, if she will have arrangements made to have a Garda presence in this building on a part-time basis. [14051/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources in individual areas.

They inform me they have no plans to operate a Garda station from the Edward Street premises. The area is policed from the district headquarters station at Roxboro Road, approximately one mile away. The station at Roxboro Road was opened in 1987 to replace the station at Edward Street. Since then, the Garda presence at Edward Street has been wound down and the premises is now in a dilapidated condition.

The Garda authorities state that they are satisfied that utilising gardaí on out-door duty provides a greater Garda coverage in the area as opposed to having members employed on the administrative duties necessary in manning a building. The area in the vicinity of Edward Street is patrolled on a regular basis by foot and mobile patrols, both uniform and plain clothes. I understand that the local Garda divisional officer is satisfied that there has been no upsurge in crime in the area.