Vol. 508 No. 1
750 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will attend the next meeting of a local task force which was recently established to tackle the life threatening joyriding problem in areas (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [17605/99]
751 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the immediate measures, if any, he will sanction to eliminate the joyriding problem which the residents of an area (details supplied) in Dublin 17 have had to endure day and night for the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17606/99]
752 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will immediately sanction additional gardaí and supporting resources to Coolock Garda station, Dublin 5, to adequately protect the residents of an area (details supplied) from the mayhem caused by joyriding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17607/99]
753 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will seek the release of Army personnel to support the Coolock gardaí in their efforts to protect the residents of an area (details supplied) from the mayhem caused by joyriding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17608/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 750 to 753, inclusive, together.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that isolated incidents involving the unauthorised taking and driving of vehicles have, in recent weeks, occurred with a bit more regularity in the postal district area of Dublin 17, but are not of a continuous nature as implied. I have also been advised by the Garda authorities that the policing needs of the areas mentioned are being addressed by local Garda management and that where the problem of joyriding exists a number of measures are being taken to tackle it, for example; a policing strategy is in place from both the prevention and enforcement aspects and this has yielded results; ongoing liaison with residents' association and the business community is maintained by both the district officer and the local community policing unit; through Garda intervention the local authority has made some physical modifications to the affected area, which are of assistance; operation "Steering Wheel" has been devised and put in place to counter these incidents and involves targeted patrolling by a dedicated unit in the affected areas; these patrols are augmented by resources from Garda headquarters and the garda dog unit; all Garda vehicles in the district are equipped with "Stinger" vehicle stopping devices. However, the use of these devices is restricted and overall public safety is the prime consideration in each specific incident; all vehicles recovered are subjected to thorough technical examination to ensure that all available evidence is captured; and intelligence gathering is also a feature of the operation.
These measures are under constant review by local Garda management and responses or strategies will continue to be put in place, as appropriate.
I understand from the Garda authorities that six local youths are currently before the courts in relation to incidents of unauthorised takings and road traffic offences in the Coolock sub-district.
The policing situation throughout Coolock sub-district is monitored on an ongoing basis with a view to ensuring that an adequate policing service is maintained. However, when additional gardaí next become available, the needs of DMA North Division will be fully considered in conjunction with the needs of other divisions throughout the country.
