Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Garda Deployment.

Mr. Kirk

The mid-Louth area encompasses Ardee, Dunleer, Castlebellingham, Annagassan and Clogherhead and the issue I wish to raise revolves around those areas of population. In recent years and particularly in recent weeks, there has been a serious upsurge in anti-social behaviour in the area and this problem is escalating. The elderly and vulnerable families feel threatened, isolated and under siege. They are living in constant fear of break-ins and robberies and the threat of physical violence is ever present. There was an example recently where an elderly man in the Dunleer area was beaten up by a gang of violent thugs near his home and subsequently hospitalised.

People feel there is an inadequate number of gardaí in the area to cope. I am asking the Minister to initiate an immediate review of the position. I hope he will be in a position to allocate additional gardaí to the area without delay. The people of mid-Louth need the Minister's help immediately. I thank the Chair for the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment and I look forward to a positive response. It was a great mistake in our analysis of these problems to assume that anti-social behaviour is confined to large urban centres. Our experience in County Louth is that it is not by any means confined to large urban areas. There is much of it in rural areas and this is why I raised this matter on the Adjournment. I hope the Minister will be in a position to help.

Mr. Farrelly

It is the same in north County Meath, so the Minister might address that area also in his reply.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I thank Deputy Kirk for raising this matter, which is of concern to his constituents. The House will be aware that the Government is especially committed to the fight against crime. To tackle crime in all its forms, from minor offences to the most serious forms of organised criminal activity, it is vital that the Garda Síochána has the necessary resources to carry out its duties.

I have already put in place a number of provisions to ensure that the best resources and equipment are available to the Garda Síochána. I am very encouraged by the many successful Garda operations in recent times and I am committed to consolidating this success by ensuring that the gardaí are provided with adequate resources to continue this good work. I have recently provided extra funding for the purchase of additional cars for the gardaí to ensure greater speed and efficiency in dealing with crime.

Among the longer term measures which I have put in place is the provision of extra funding to cover the cost of the recruitment of additional gardaí as part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to increase Garda numbers. Since I took up office the strength of the force has increased from 10,800 to 11,365 and we are on target to achieve a strength of 12,000 by the end of 2002. These initiatives have already begun to reap results in that there was a reduction of over 6 per cent in crime figures for 1998 and current trends indicate that this reduction is continuing for 1999.

With regard to the area of mid-County Louth, mentioned by the Deputy, provisional crime trends show a decline in crime for the period January to September 1999 compared with the same period in 1998 as follows: Dunleer, less than 28 per cent; Ardee, less than 20 per cent; Collen, less than 8 per cent; Castlebellingham, less than 34 per cent; and Clogherhead, less than 21 per cent. Provisional crime trends do not reflect a growth in anti-social behaviour although there have been recent incidents of criminal damage in Castlebellingham and Dunleer sub-district which are at present under investigation. While the situation is generally positive, we cannot be complacent and must continue to combat crime and anti-social behaviour. This is not a job just for the gardaí but for the whole community.

With regard to resources, both Castlebellingham and Clogherhead manpower strength increased by one member in 1998, Ardee manpower strength increased by one member in 1999 and the strength of all stations is now considered to be at optimum level. Four official vehicles are allocated to the relevant stations which are utilised in patrolling the mid-County Louth area and policing of the area is augmented as required by other resources from within the Louth-Meath division. The local divisional officer is satisfied that the present manpower strength is adequate to meet the demands placed upon it. The policing arrangements in place are constantly reviewed to meet changing demands. I assure Deputy Kirk that if additional resources are required I will hold discussions with the Garda Commissioner to ensure they are provided.