Vol. 486 No. 6
71 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether he is concerned at the number of unlawful killings which have taken place in the past six months; if his attention has been drawn to the apparent increase in this category of crime; the steps, if any, he proposes to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3213/98]
Final statistics for offences involving unlawful killing which have taken place in the past six months have not yet been compiled. However, I understand that provisional figures available to the Garda authorities indicate that there was an increase of one in the number of such offences recorded for the second half of 1997 as compared to the first half of the year.
I am also informed by the Garda authorities, that while the provisional figures indicate that there was a decrease in 1997 compared to 1996 in the number of unlawful killings classified as murder, there was an increase in the same period in the number of unlawful killings classified as manslaughter. All unlawful killings, however classified, are fully investigated by the Garda and I understand that detections were made in respect of all offences of manslaughter committed in 1997.
I believe the Garda authorities are satisfied they have adequate legislative powers to deal effectively with this type of crime.
