Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Equipment.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

175 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations which have been supplied with stinger devices on 20 March 1997; the numbers in which such devices have been supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8455/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that stinger device units were ordered in November 1996 and delivery was effected thereafter. Stinger device units, 15 feet in length, have been issued to the following Garda stations:

Division	Station	Quantity of Units
DMA South Central	Traffic Section, Dublin Castle	2
DMA South Central	Pearse Street	6
DMA North Central	Fitzgibbon Street	6
DMA East	Dún Laoghaire	6
DMA North	Santry	8
DMA South	Crumlin	8
Various Garda Units	Harcourt Square	13
Cork East	Anglesea Street	8
Cork North	Fermoy	4
Cork West	Bandon	5
Galway West	Mill Street	7
Limerick	Henry Street	9
Clare	Ennis	4
Longford/Westmeath	Mullingar	4
Leix/Offaly	Portlaoise	4
Kerry	Tralee	4
Donegal	Letterkenny	5
Carlow/Kildare	Naas	5
Cavan/Monaghan	Monaghan	5
Sligo/Leitrim	Sligo	5
Wexford	Wexford	5
Louth/Meath	Drogheda	6
Roscommon/Galway East	Roscommon	6
Tipperary	Thurles	6
Waterford	Waterford	6
Mayo	Castlebar	6

I am further informed that stinger device units, 25 feet in length, are on order and are expected to be delivered from the suppliers shortly and will be issued to the following stations:

Division	Station	Quantity of Units
DMA	Traffic Section, Dublin Castle	2
Longford/Westmeath	Mullingar	1
Carlow/Kildare	Naas	1
Louth/Meath	Balbriggan	1

It should be noted that the law allowed devices to be used in accordance with section 8 (1) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976. Since the passing of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act, 1997, the new devices i.e. stingers can be used in cases of unlawful taking of a mechanically propelled vehicle.