Vol. 470 No. 7
205 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Justice if she will put in place a policy similar to last year's Operation Shannon to prevent a reoccurrence of attacks on elderly people in western counties; and if she will make a statement on the recent attacks. [19816/96]
The detailed allocation of Garda resources to meet operational policing demands is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Garda authorities the Operation Shannon is still in place. Checkpoints are being operated on a daily basis in the western region, the location of checkpoints being varied as required to counter the threat in the most effective way. The operation has aerial support from the Defence Forces. The effectiveness of the strategy is being kept under continuous review by the Garda authorities.
I am further informed that an incident room has been established at Roscommon Garda station to co-ordinate the investigation of recent attacks on the elderly in that area and to assist generally in the co-ordination of the investigation of attacks in the region.
