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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

62 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if additional gardaí will be assigned to Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10, in view of the spiralling drug problem in parts of that area. [3075/97]

The allocation of Garda personnel and resources to different areas is the responsibility of the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the Cherry Orchard-Gallanstown area is policed by the gardaí assigned to Ballyfermot station. The Garda strength — all ranks as of 31 January 1997 — for the "L" district which has Ballyfermot as its district headquarters is 245 members.

I am also informed that the area is patrolled by local uniform and plain clothes personnel and this patrolling is augmented by the divisional task force unit based at Crumlin Garda Station. Two members of this unit are at present assigned exclusively to the Gallanstown area. The Garda authorities also report that as and from 1 February 1997 patrols in the Cherry Orchard-Gallanstown area are augmented by a patrol car manned by two members who patrol the area between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m.
This area is also one of the areas covered by Operation Dochas and the Garda inform me that since 1 February the number of searches and arrests have increased greatly. The District Drug Unit is also at present assigned exclusively to the Gallanstown area and increased surveillance operations are also in operation in the area.
The Garda authorities assure me that the present policing arrangements are kept under continued review and that the Cherry Orchard-Gallanstown area will receive ongoing attention.
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